The former Azzurri chief believes that while the Nazionale will pull up their socks in the heat of Euro 2012, the first match against World Champions Spain will leave its mark.
Cesare Maldini has voiced his worry ahead of Italy’s first match in Euro 2012, stating that the Azzurri lack the services of a genuine centre-forward.
The Nazionale sailed through the European qualifiers, largely thanks to their star pair consisting of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Cassano-c6302.
However, Cesare Prandelli’s problems have been compounded by the Villarreal ace’s injury, which has ruled him out of the competition. Moreover, Antonio Cassano is also returning after a gruesome heart-surgery that has kept him
away from the game for months.
Despite their perils in attack, the Azzurri have a promising strike force, featuring the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sebastian-Giovinco-c32724 in the reserves.
Cassano and Balotelli are expected to lead Italy’s attack in their first group match against Spain, and Maldini admitted to the quality of the attacking duo.
However, the former Azzurri manager stated that the Nazionale lack a genuine centre-forward, and believes that the fact can potentially jeopardize their Euro campaign.
Prandelli’s men have substantially been rattled by the match fixing scandal that has rocked the world of Italian football, and their three losses in their last three friendly matches has substantially dented the optimism surrounding
their European campaign.
However, Maldini believes that while the defeats are not a good sign for the Azzurri, the team has a history of doing well in the heat of official tournaments. The veteran tactician expressed his belief that going against the World
Champions in their first match of the Euros is not a very auspicious start for the Nazionale, and insisted that locking horns with Spain will leave its marks.
While talking to Radio CRC, the 80-year-old said:
“Cassano and Balotelli are two great players. However, we are perhaps missing a central attacker. The losses are not a good calling card, but we always improve when it comes to an official competition. Saying that, there are certainly
question marks about the team, especially going into a terrible first game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011.”
Prandelli is expected to field a 4-3-3 system in his first match against La Roja.
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