Does http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Motta-c34897 deserve an Azzurri starting berth?
Italy coach, Cesare Prandelli finally gave the much-expected call-up to Brazilian-born midfielder Thiago Motta. The Azzurri are set to face world cup semi-finalists, Germany at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
on 9 February.
Post-Berlin 2006, Italy and Germany are in stark contrast. At the Euro 2008, Italy were woefully out of rhythm and their quarterfinal exit at the hands of eventual champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 was as much expected
as it was deserved. Germany lived up to their big tournament billing and stormed into the final only to lose by a slender 1-0 score line. Fast-forward two years and in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/South-Africa-c757, Italy were humiliated in the group stages. Marcelo
Lippi and his men failed to win a single game, drawing against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904, with a vast armoury of prodigies in their ranks, made it to the semi-finals and were the most entertaining
team of the tournament.
With Cesare Prandelli managing the Italians, the results have improved but there is still a long way to go before the Azzurri can consider themselves as genuine challengers for major silverware. Azzurri’s
defensive woes have been well-documented, but one issue that has eluded the media wrath is that of the Italian midfield. With age getting the better of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Pirlo-c5702, Cesare Prandelli is yet to decide on
a regular starting midfield.
The only player assured of a starting spot is http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Nocerino-c6332
and Cristian Ledesma in varying central roles, but to little effect. Thiago Motta now has his only chance to impress the tactician. Regardless of the player’s performance in tonight’s fixture, the inclusion of Motta will raise more questions than the answers
he is capable of giving on the pitch.
Thiago Motta will turn 29 in August and it is arguable whether he can retain his fitness or not, entering the twilight of his career. Ever since the player made his first senior appearance for Barcelona
a decade ago, he has failed to hit the 30 league appearances mark for any club he has represented; his highest being 27 appearances for CFC Genoa in the 2008-09 season. Prandelli’s plans of making Motta a vital Azzurri cog are flawed at best – how can the
tactician rely on a player who is almost certain to be nursing his injuries every season?
Moving further ahead, Motta’s inclusion in the squad will see http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 FC, has regained much of the form that
made him such a coveted talent in the first place. The Aqua-man has completed more than 90 per cent of his passes for Juventus FC this season. Furthermore, the Bianconeri number 14 has added a defensive side to his midfield play. Even the most ardent of Motta
supporters will agree to the fact that Aquilani passes the ball more effectively with ingenious vision. In contrast, Motta’s passing is average at best.
Cesare Prandelli has been criticised by various sections of Italy fans over his decision, and rightly so. With talented players such as Marchisio and Aquilani warming the bench and young guns in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luca-Cigarini-c22510
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Poli-c5705 not even making the Azzurri list, the decision to call up Thiago Motta for international duty is a step in the wrong direction. Upon his appointment, the former Fiorentina manager echoed his desire of bringing in younger blood. However, Prandelli
has done exactly the opposite with his latest decision. The sooner Prandelli realizes this, the better it will be for the future of the four-time world champions.
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