As the EURO 2012 approaches, Extratime.ie will take an indepth look into each participating team. Darren Crawley looks at the EURO 2012 Group C side Italy.
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EURO 2012 Group C
The Squad
How they got here
Key player to watch out for
Where they are staying, where they are playing
Three interesting facts about the team
Their last five games form
The Squad
On May 13th, the day that the Serie A season ended, Italian team manager Cesara Prandelli announced a provisional squad of 32 for the European Championships.
The squad announcement has been met with some surprise as some of the call ups were not in line with Prandelli’s previous squad announcements. Antonio Di Natale and Salvatore Bochetti are called up by Prandelli for the first time while Antonio Cassano is included following his recovery from heart surgery. Prandelli also raised eyebrows with his selection of uncapped players - Siena striker Mattia Destro, Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini, Atalanta winger Ezequiel Scheletto and Pescara playmaker Marco Veratti.
On May 28th, Prandelli then cut the squad further to 25 leaving out: Emiliano Viviano (Palermo), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Salvatore Bocchetti (Rubin), Luca Cigarini (Atalanta), Ezequiel Schelotto (Atalanta) and Marco Verratti (Pescara). He also cut Domenico Criscito due to his involvement in the ongoing match-fixing betting probe in Italy.
Prandelli also remained true to his word and included controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli. “Balotelli? We will not be having someone following after his every step, absolutely not.” The manager told journalists at the squad announcement.
“It will be the overall team spirit that will help keep him focused on the job on hand. He is motivated and determined to display all his talents” he added.
Prandelli named his final 23 man squad on May 29th. The former Fiorentina boss omitted Inter’s Andrea Ranocchia and Siena’s Mattia Destro from the final squad. Prandelli did though include Leonardo Bonucci despite the fact he may be questioned as part of the aforementioned betting probe.
The Azzuri , who are in Group C with Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland will play a friendly against Russia (June 1st) prior to the Championships. Their friendly against Luzembourg due to be played on May 29th has been cancelled due to earthquakes in the region.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (SSC Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain FC).
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (US Città di Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (SSC Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino FC).
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna FC), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus) Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City FC), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Sebastian Giovinco (FC Parma).
How they got here
Italy qualified for the Championships quite comfortably as they were one of five teams to go through qualifying unbeaten. The Azzuri won eight of their ten matches and drew just two matches to finish top of Qualifying Group C with a total of 26 points.
Their only dropped points were away draws against Northern Ireland and Serbia. The Italians were in good scoring form throughout, scoring no fewer than 20 goals and as usual, they were defensively sound by conceding just two goals after playing 10.
Italy opened up their qualifying campaign with a come from behind victory away to the surprise Estonia in August 2010. Having gone down to a first half goal, Italy rallied in the second period to come away with a vital goal. Then they recorded an easy 5-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in which they had five different scorers before they were made to rue many missed chances and dropped their first points of the campaign with a scoreless draw away to Northern Ireland.
Italy were then awarded a controversial 3-0 victory at home to Serbia following crowd disturbances. Only six minutes of play were possible before it was decided the game would be abandoned in the interest of safety. Italy were awarded the three points as it was the travelling Serbian fans who caused the difficulties.
In March 2011 Italy went on to secure a hard-fought victory over Slovenia with Thiago Motta scoring on his competitive debut and in June registered a comfortable 3-0 victory over Estonia in Modena to maintain the five point gap at the top of Group C. The Italians secured another hard-fought victory in September away to the Faroe Islands as they 1-0 with Antonio Cassano scoring an early goal. Italy sealed their place in the finals against Slovenia at home with Giampaolo Pazzini scoring a late goal to give the Azzuri their third 1-0 win of the campaign. With qualification now assured, Italy remained unbeaten drawing away to Serbia before closing their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Northern Ireland.
Key player to watch out for
On the basis of qualifying, Italy have no problem in scoring goals. However, their top scorer in the campaign, Antonio Cassano will be key to their success this summer.
In October last year, Cassano underwent minor heart surgery. He was sidelined until a few weeks ago, making his return for AC Milan and even scoring on his debut.
Having been left out of the international fold for two years, Cassano was recalled to the set up by Prandelli. Cassano has rewarded the Italian head coach for the faith he placed in him scoring seven goals in qualifying including some crucial goals such as the equaliser against Estonia in their opener and the winner away to the Faroe Islands.
Cassano is most certainly a character and has often landed himself in hot water, however he has undoubted ability and his goalscoring record is highly impressive at both club level and international. His goals will be critical if Italy are to be successful.
Cassano is, of course, just one of many quality players that Italy possess. In goal Gianluigi Buffon will be vitally important, Giorgio Chieillini at the back will need to be at his best and the midfield pairing of Andre Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe. The Italians have the makings of a winning team, it’s just a matter of can they convert.
Where they are playing, where they are staying
The Italians are based in the Turowka Hotel & Spa, Wieliczka. They have chosen to use the Municipal Stadium Cracovia in Krakow as their training base for the duration of the tournament. Basing themselves near Krakow may turn out to be a master stroke. As Krakow does not boast a tournament venue, the area may be rather quiet and it may allow the Italians to get away from tournament pressure.
Unlike some other countries in the tournament, Italy have their training base in the country in which they are playing. This is a huge advantage and means preparation can be maximised with less travelling.
Indeed Italy play their three group matches in Poland. Their first match is against Spain on June 10th in the PGC Arena in Gdansk, their second match is against Croatia on June 14th in the Municipal Stadium in Poznan and they play their final and potential crucial match against Ireland on June 18th also in Poznan.
Three interesting facts about the team
- During Euro 2008, Italy were the only side to keep a clean sheet against eventual champions Spain. They held the Spaniards to a 0-0 draw before succumbing 4-2 on penalties.
- Since winning the European Championships in 1968, Italy haven’t had the best of times at the tournament. They have been reached the final just once since their sole victory (2000), the semi-finals twice (1980, 1988) and the quarter-finals once (2008). They also failed to get out of the group stages twice (1996, 2004) and on four occasions they have failed to qualify for the finals (1972, 1976, 1984, 1992).
- Dolce & Gabanna will provide off-field dress for the team during their time in Poland and Ukraine.
- Italy haven’t been beaten over 90 or 120 minutes at the European Championship finals since Euro 2000 when they were beaten 2-1 after extra-time by France in Rotterdam. Italy qualified for Euro 2004 only to go out in the group stage despite being unbeaten after their three matches and lost on penalties to current holders Spain at Euro 2008.
Their last five game form
Italy closed their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Serbia before comfortably beating Northern Ireland 3-0 at home in Pescara. With no playoff to worry about, the Azzuri were able to contest two friendly matches during the November international break.
First they played Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in Warsaw, registering a 2-0 win before they played their final match of 2011 against Uruguay in Rome, losing 1-0. In February the Italians played host to the United States, losing that tie 1-0 also. Over the last five games the Italians have won two, drawn one and lost two.
