World Cup Group F preview: Slovakia v Italy
Could Italy really be about to follow in the notorious footsteps of France and suffer the indignation of being eliminated from the group stages as holders of the World Cup?
Based on their first two performances this summer, there’s every chance that they will.
Although their opponents are the much-unfancied Slovakia, few people gave “minnows” New Zealand any hope against the Azzurri either, and they came out of the match with a shock 1-1 draw.
Both Italy and Slovakia have flattered to deceive this summer. Vladimir Weiss’ side were touted as potential dark horses to escape Group F with the likes of Marek Hamsik, Robert Vittek and the coach’s son, Vladimir Weiss, at their disposal. Yet, following one draw and a defeat, they look almost certain to miss out on a place in the last 16.
And as for the reigning champions, even with their ageing squad of players, they were expected to breeze through the group at a canter. But the draw against the All Whites came hot off the heels of a 1-1 stalemate against Paraguay; and that means that a third draw today wouldn’t be good enough to guarantee progression.
Head coach, Marcello Lippi, is expected to make wholesale changes after the embarrassing result against New Zealand. With Alberto Gilardino misfiring upfront and Claudio Marchisio struggling to create from the flanks, the Italy boss could bring Giampaolo Pazzini and Mauro Camoranesi into the fold.
Playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who hasn’t played a single minute in South Africa this summer, is also in line for a start after struggling with a calf injury. How they’ve missed his creativity and vision from midfield.
Fortunately for Italy, they will have been buoyed by watching Slovakia’s lackluster performance against Paraguay in the previous Group F tie. Weiss’ men mustered just one shot on target during the 90 minutes and generally looked bereft of ideas and content to remain defensive.
A similar showing against the Azzurri and they’ll find themselves out of the tournament. Attacking midfielder Miroslav Stoch is in line for a recall after recovering from a knee injury, and he could provide the attacking impetus which the Slovakians have so desperately lacked.
The questions over whether Lippi was right to select an ageing group of players and leave out several key names including Francesco Totti, Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano will be answered based on this result.
This current Italy squad is by no means as strong as 2006, but anything less than a place in the last 16 would be regarded as a catastrophic failure to rival France’s eight years ago.
Tags: