The group of four which comprises the past three cup winners__ Uruguay, England, Italy__ and very difficult team Costa Rica is expected to see a keen contest for progressing to knock out round. England, Italy and Uruguay has potential to reach even beyond quarter finals. Some critics may even pick any one of three as favorites for the cup. 

Italy with has rich soccer history and very organized domestic competition always attracts attention and controversy.  Only Brazil won the cup more times than Italy. In not too distant past Italy won the world cup for the 4th time in Germany. 

In 2010 Italy as expected cruised to qualifying phase from the group stage. However, further progress of the team was adversely impacted for a tactical error of the coach Marcello Lippi in selecting the squad for the cup in the land of rainbow in 2010. 

Lippi opted for leaving out strikers Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli was hotly debated in Italian and international media. Lippi relied on most of squad that won the cup in Germany. But eventually Lippi’s team suffered from goal draught and crushed out.

First choice custodian Gianluigi Buffon had a hernia in the first match in a 1-1 draw with Paraguay and Azzuri conceded goals against lowly Slovakia and New Zealand. From a relatively easy group Italy failed to progress to group of 16 ending in utter frustration of soccer frenzy Italians all over the world.

The new coach Cesare Prandelli as one of his first strategy brought back Cassano and Balotelli. Italy smoothly advanced to the final of Euro 2012. Prandelli effectively applied the ultra-defensive Italian brand Catenaccio in advancing to final but an all-round Spain playing dynamic football handed a 4-0 drubbing to Italy in the Euro final of 2012. Till filing this write up Prandelli has not announced the team but he more or less made up his mind about the nucleus of the team.

Reliable Buffon as usual will be protecting the bar. Two of the three Leonardo Bonucci , Andrea Barzagli and Gorgio Chiellini will be in the centre defense. 

Prandelli relies heavily on a strong midfield manned by Andrea Pirlo, Danieele De Rossi , Ricardo Montolivo or Claudio Marchisio. Coach will have to very carefully pick his frontmen. Will Giuseppi Rossi of Fiorentina be ready for the cup after a long layoff from knee injury? However any combination of Juventus striker Pavlo Osvaldo, veteran Francessco Totti, young gun Domencio Berardi and Super Mario Balotelli have possibility of performing much better than the docile Italian strikers in 2010.

Being grouped in the group of death Italy will have play out of their skins to qualify from the group. It is hard to comprehend why Italy was not seeded despite of past records and present FIFA ranking. Placing three previous cup winners in one group has made it challenging situation for all three as the fourth team Costa Rica is also not a push over.

Italians are more familiar with most of the Uruguayans as many of the South American team play in Serie A. But Uruguayans playing in their own continent may make it extremely difficult for Italians. The real tussle will be between Italy and England. The team that settles to Brazilian condition first and adapts to the environment will win get through as all three will be expected to win over Costa Rica.

England, Costa Rica, Italy and Uruguay all have goal hungry class strikers. The persons guarding the goal bar will have to play a crucial role. Here Italy has advantage in having tried and tested Buffon. He will be captain of the team as well. Maestro mid fielder Andrea Pirio is creative and visionary. Buffons assured skills and experience of combining well with defenders Giorgio Chiellini, Leonrado Bonucci, Andrea Brazagti and Domenico Cristicito will make the Italian defense impregnable. It will all depend how Italian upfront and mid field gel.

If Italy can manage to move from a very difficult group without losing much of its energy and steam it will have huge opportunity to advance to business session of the world cup.

(Next Installment will analyze England)

BDST: 0952 HRS, MAY 8, 2014