Italian Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Italian was the key figure in reviving Italy after 2010 world cup exit, former Fiorentina manager took over as the head coach and since than try to put a new philosphy in italian national football. He has shelved “Catenaccio” in favour of more attractive football and a little more trust in the youth.
Possible Starting Lineup at World Cup 2014:
What Prandelli has done is bring in some much needed youth in the starting lineup without having to compensate experience. World Cup winners like Pirlo, De Rossi, Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini will start alongside talented youngsters in Balotelli, El Shaawaray and Lorenzo Insign. Formation is basic 4-3-3 with front three interchanging their positions.
Key Players: Mario Balotelli
Whenever he put on Italian shirt he looks a different player, he is mobile, unpredictable and if Pradelli can keep him level headed and happy he might do a Euro 2012 here. Only downer is nobody knows which Balotelli will come up.
Youngster To Look Forward To: Marco Verrati
Can play in central mifield wide right or left, 22 yaer old Verrati pretty impressive with ball at his feet. He will be used as a sub to begin with. Definately the one to look forward too in italy shirt.
Italian World Cup Fixtures:
- England (14 June)
- Costa Rica (20 June)
- Uruguay (24 June)
Italy (Azzuri) Possible 23man 2014 World Cup Squad:
Final Italian 23man squad will be updated here the day it is officialy announced, but below is the likely squad which Cesare Prandelli might take to Brazil. So keep checking for updated news on Italy squad right here.
PLAYER | CLUB | AGE | POSITION | |
1 | Gianluigi Buffon | Juventus | GK | |
2 | Mattia Perin | Genoa | GK | |
3 | Salvatore Sirigu | PSG | GK | |
4 | Ignazio Abate | AC Milan | Defender | |
6 | Andrea Barzagli | Juventus | Defender | |
6 | Leonardo Bonucci | Juventus | Defender | |
7 | Giorgio Chiellini | Juventus | Defender | |
8 | Domenico Criscito | Zenit | Defender | |
9 | Mattia De Sciglio | AC Milan | Defender | |
10 | Christian Maggio | Napoli | Defender | |
11 | Antonio Candreva | Lazio | Defender | |
12 | Claudio Marchisio | Juventus | Midfielder | |
13 | Riccardo Montolivo | AC Milan | Midfielder | |
14 | Thiago Motta | PSG | Midfielder | |
15 | Daniele de Rossi | AS Roma | Midfielder | |
16 | Andrea Pirlo | Juvenuts | Midfielder | |
17 | Marco Verratti | PSG | Midfielder | |
18 | Lorenzo Insigne | Torino | Midfielder | |
19 | Mattia Destro | AS Roma | Forward | |
20 | Mario Balotelli | AC Milan | Forward | |
21 | Stephen El Shaarawy | AC Milan | Forward | |
22 | Giuseppe Rossi | Fiorentina | Forward | |
23 | Lorenzo Insigne | Forward |