GroupC. Northern Ireland v Italy Preview

October 7th, 2010 | by: Marco |

euro2012sidebanner Matchup: Northern Ireland v. Italy
Fixture: Windsor Park – Belfast
Time: 20:45CET

Introduction: The last time the Azzurri lined up against Northern Ireland was during the lead up to the 2009 Confederations Cup. It was quite possibly the greatest showing by the Lippi helmed squad since he took over from Donadoni in the summer of 2008. 3-0 on the day, provided us a glimpse of what we had hoped the Azzurri would start to look like at the time. Lippi’s subsequent call-ups for the confederation cup provided us a very sobering reminder that even with a solid showing, certain players – like a very impressive Foggia; simply weren’t in the cards. Click Here for a Re-Cap

Shift the clock forward to October 2010. The manager is different and the team is much changed this time around. However, there is a taste, that even though Prandelli has brought flair to the Azzurri, something which lacked under the Lippi regime, we have a sudden taste that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Gone are the days of Cannavaro, but back are the days suddenly and abruptly of Zambrotta. This selection above all has soured what has otherwise been a very adequate selection by Prandelli.

Will it be a vintage performance?

Many have called on Prandelli to select the 28 year old Palermo left back, Federico Balzaretti who has been a consistent standout for the Sicilian squad. I believe the more appropriate question at this time is “Does Zambrotta actually deserve this call-up?” I’m sure he was as surprised as most with the sudden interest from the Azzurri manager. Let’s face it though he has looked average, he has replaced Abate as the starting Right Back at Milan, and has partaken in a couple of Champions League tilts. Surely under Prandelli’s self imposed meritocracy he deserves a spot (Not). Although, I reckon Milan’s starting left back Luca Antonini has shown some comprehensive form thus far this season and probably merited a call-up before an aged Zambrotta. Just a thought.

Either way, through the selections Prandelli has made and the quality of the opposition we are facing this week, I can almost guarantee two things: (a) Zambrotta will see limited action and (b) The pool of players we’re bringing shouldn’t have too much difficulty against Northern Ireland.

Italy Breakdown: Prandelli selections for this round of qualifying reflects the intent portrayed in call-ups for the previous two Euro Qualifiers against Estonia and the Faroe Islands. Back are the same pool of players, barring a couple of injuries to Gilardino and Luca Antonelli, and addition of Zambrotta while Montolivo has oddly been subtracted.

Goalkeppers: Antonio Mirante (Parma), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo), Emiliano Viviano (Bologna)

Defenders: Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Daniele Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Cesare Bovo (Palermo), Luca Antonelli (Parma)

Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Andrea Lazzari (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Stefano Mauri (Lazio), Simone Pepe (Juventus)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (Roma), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)

marchisiowarmup Andrea Lazzari does return to the fold, along with Mauri in the midfield. This should inject some vitality in the midfield as both players have been on good form this season. We’ll have to wait and see if Prandelli actually uses these players before commenting further. The most welcome addition to the squad will have to be Floccari in place for a knocked up Gilardino. Let’s face it, since he was about 23 years old, Gilardino has been playing as though he’s been knocked up. It’s not so much the Floccari addition that excites me, but rather the sudden exclusion of Gilardino. Now what would really appease me would be if Pepe suddenly picked up a knock or two.

Tactically speaking, speed and ball movement will be our key. We need to exploit the wings against the Irish and harness Cassano’s creativity to open the field of play. This rendition of the Azzurri should be more than capable of disposing the Irish and moving forward to play Serbia in midweek.

Possible Starting Line-up:Viviano; Cassani, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito; De Rossi, Pirlo, Mauri; Pepe, Borriello, Cassano.

Prandelli has confirmed that he will be fielding a 4-3-3 formation for this match as opposed to earlier suggestions of the diamond midfield. Here are a couple thoughts he shared at a press conference earlier in the day:
“Against Northern Ireland I will play 4-3-3,” he confirmed.
“Borriello is the right striker for the night, he gives us depth to manoeuvre and with Pepe in the field with Stefano Mauri we can vary the initial shape with Cassano moving more through the middle.We want the three points, of course, but they we should be accompanied by the beautiful game, as always. But this result will be more important than others.”

Northern Ireland Breakdown How familiar can I possibly be with this team. On the international stage Northern Ireland are slim pickings, albeit they have come along way in the last number of years. The important thing to remember is that we have never won in Belfast. The most negative result we’ve faced was a shock defeat in 1958 by a score of 2-1.

They’ll be playing at home in front of a packed stadium. If the Irish are to accomplish anything against us, it’ll have to be accomplished tomorrow evening in Belfast. So expect them to come out guns blazing.

Probable starting line-up: Taylor; Baird, Hughes, Craigan, Evans; Brunt, Davis, Clingan, McCann, Lafferty; Healy.

Concluding Thoughts: We don’t need an upset tomorrow. After a world cup that would be better remembered in the “dustbin of history” (Giorgio Chiellini), it’s important that the Azzurri come out and get the job done. The quality of players we will be featuring should be able to make it an exciting affair. We shouldn’t expect to see the utter dominance of possession and number of goals witnessed a month ago against the Faroe Islands, but we should expect a better performance than what we were able to produce against Estonia.

I will be watching our back line intently. Much has been made about the disorganization between the Chiellini-Bonucci-DeRossi triangle. I will be hoping for a significant improvement over their previous endeavours. Against the Faroe Islands they weren’t threatened, but against Estonia, they seemed chaotic at times. Northern Ireland will be a more potent adversary than the Estonians were going forward. If we start leaking goals expect significant changes for the Serbia clash.

Prediction: Northern Ireland 1 – 2 Italy

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Mikederob

Awesome blog Marco.
At least chiellini and bonucci have built up a bit more of a relationship with their juve appearances and I reckon they were looking pretty good against the likes of man city and inter recently, two times way more scary than n. Ireland.
I'm still not personally convinced with a 4-3-3 though. Let's just hope cassano and pirlo are up for it.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

Fantastic preview Marco. Praying for a clean sheet and an easy victory here so we gain some confidence for serbia. I can't stand Pepe but in Create we trust. FORZA AZZURRI!
Mkederob

Sorry i meant 'two teams' not times!! Bloody iPhones
http://italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

Agreed on the 4-3-3. We just don't have the wingers for it. We really should be using some variation on a 4 man midfield, either a diamond or otherwise.
Vincent

This is Prandelli's first real test. An away game where we have never won. I am hoping we play tight to gain some confidence at the beginning, at then gradually take control of the game. I also don't like the 433 at all, better the diamond midfield IMO>

A victory any way we can get it!

FORZA AZZURRI!!!
Gio

“It’s not so much the Floccari addition that excites me, but rather the sudden exclusion of Gilardino. Now what would really appease me would be if Pepe suddenly picked up a knock or two.”

couldn't feel more in agreement.

it pisses me off that the only reason we are not seeing Gilardino (who is not even on the capocannonierri list yet i believe) is because he is injured.

i would rather see Floccari there even with a top form Gilardino.

and the mystery of Pepe. come on. i can think of several much better choices other than Pepe if you're going to run a 4-3-3. Cossu, Acquafresca, Foggia (is he better yet?), etc. hell, even play Rossi out wide. Pepe has no business being in a three pronged attack.

are these coaches just mesmorised by the fact that he never stops running? what good is running if you can't pass that well?

i am predicting a decent game if we can sub Pepe out.
Mikederob

every time he plays, he sucks and keeps losing possession. i just hope giovinco gets better soon and prandelli pays attention!
anyone know how good mauri is?
Mikederob

always been a diamond fan:
————-de rossi
montolivo/giovinco—-pirlo/marchisio
———-cassano–
—–pazzini—balotelli

we'd be spoilt for choice really! what'd you guys reckon?
Marco

Thanks Mike.
They have looked a little more secure at the back. But let's not forget that Melo has also picked up his game under GDL, which could theoretically be contributing to the more composed back line at Juve. The trouble spot comes @ roma, where DDR has only put in a single note worthy appearance thus far this season.

Rather than the 4-3-3 or even diamond midfield, with the players we have available (if all are healthy) I'd rather see the christmas tree or a 4-2-3-1 which we saw against Ivory Coast.

imagine:
Buffon
Cassani – Rannochia – Chiellini – Balzaretti/Santon
Montolivo – Nocerino
Rossi – Cassano – Giovinco
Balotelli

or perhaps you want pazzini there, in which case, I'd actually attempt to move Giovinco back to take the place of nocerino or montolivo and bring Balotelli to the LW.

We wouldn't be too strong defensively because of the weakened CDM's but, at the same time, I think Giovinco could become a great Regista. Looks good, but might only be suitable for a game against the faroe islands.
Marco

Thanks Julian. All hands on deck for a clean sheet tomorrow. Remember, our marker is the game we played against this team last year. Although we played our best game under lippi against Northern Ireland, if we're able to replicate that result then I think Prandelli might be onto something.
Marco

keep in mind that it was Rossi who scored the screamer last year. How he's starting on the bench is beyond me, but it's quite likely he's being saved for the tougher competition midweek.

Regardless, I was of the opinion that Pepe would be gone – following his half time sub. against estonia and his healthy scratch against the faroe islands. Not to mention the guy has been relegated from starter to sub at Juventus, which should be indicative that he's not up to snuff. Quite frankly, it's his complete lack of ability when it comes to retaining possession and passing the ball that bothers me. How many times have we already seen it, a teamate will work hard, create space, suddenly pass to pepe, only to have it picked off and create an odd man rush in the opposite direction.
Giuseppe Rosa Nero

First off, beautiful post man. Breath of fresh air.

–

Secondly,

Sirigu

-

Cassani-Chiellini-Bonnucci-Balzaretti

-

Pirlo-Giovinco

-

Miccoli-Cassano-Rossi

-

Balotelli/Pazzini

—

Would look stunning. But, with what we have take Balzac out for Criscito- Giovinco out for Mauri- and Miccoli out for Lazzarri (in a deeper role). Wish we played the 4-2-3-1…

–

And again, beautiful blogging my friend!
Gio

exactly. why does no one else see this … especially Prandelli
Gio

1. the fact that no one knows says more than anything else

2. who the f*ck watches Lazio
Mikederob

you got giovinco too far back there…switch him with miccoli and put cigarini/poli back there with pirlo and then you got a team!
chickenstock

Mauri has had a great season. He's a nice player. I'd prefer to see Poli there, though.
Marco

Here's the Televised schedule:

11:45 – 2:00 EST: U21-Italy v. Belarus : Live on Rai International.
2:30 – 5:00 EST: EuroQuali – Northern Ireland v. Italy : Live on Rai International.

I'll also be running a live blog (hopefully it runs without a snag;) at that time I'll disclose some online feeds of the match.
AzzurriOne

Great job Marco. I remember watching that game. Could anyone picture Gila or Iaq scoring a goal like Rossi's against N.I.(hell no) and after seeing Foggia and Pelissier in this game thought they deserved another callup. I'll take Pelissier over Gila, Iaq and Foggia over Pepe anyday. PLEASE, NO MORE GILA, PEPE OR IAQ. They've been given ample chances and have failed time and again. What a GOAL by Pirlo v Parma last week. Hopefully DDR is back in form too. Prediction: 2-0 Italy (they better not score). Forza Azzurri!!
Angel

Just found out ATDHE will have both games, so I'll be glued to my computer all day long!!!!

It's gonna be a blue friday (rather than a blue monday).
Gio

yup. that's what i have been saying every since that game.

it's unbelievable that anyone could watch that game and pick Pepe or Gilardino (we can leave out Iaquinta since Prandelli is not calling him up, even though he is by far the best out of those three) and not call up Foggia or Pelissier.

i only hope Rossi's not starting is, as someone suggested, to save him for Serbia.
Gio

though i believe Foggi is still recovering from injury, but Pelissier (along with Matri and DiVaio) already have 4 goals to their name while Gilardino isn't even on the charts.

Meritocracy my ass.
Gio

if he continues to pick Pepe and Gilardino, i hope some one calls Prandelli on his Meritocracy.
agiamba

And people laughed when I said Prandelli's meritocracy wouldn't happen…

Human nature, people. Everyone has grudges and everyone has favorites.
booyah

yeah, goivinco would make a solid dm to compliment pirlo's playmaking skills. not to mention the 'luxury' of having defensive cover along the wings from natural second strikers in miccoli and rossi.

this is a video game lineup, not a legitimate one.
masonio

Azzurrini up 2-0 in their first leg vs Belarus. Goals by Destro (Genoa on loan from Inter) and Okaka (Roma).
http://italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

Marco's watching the senior squad and I'm watching the U21s as we speak so expect a review for both this weekend.
Rdj8

yes!!! we will play a friendly match against romania in november! and prandelli said that hes gonna call totti to play with cassano!
RomaDurs

Great to hear Okaka scored. Roma really needs to incorporate Okaka in there lineup before he leaves for another club
agiamba

Prandelli on Balzaretti- Instead of calling up a 28-year-old with little international experience, I called up Zambrotta, who has almost 100 caps (97), is in shape and is still motivated.

Marco Borriello: 28 years old, 5 int'l caps, 0 goals.

“Instead of calling up a 28-year old with little international experience, I called up Del Piero, who has almost 100 caps (91), is in shape and is still motivated.” That too would make no sense.
Rufus T. Firefly

I don't understand Zabrotta. Why can't Italy just MOVE FORWARD?
Anthonyb587

who the f*ck watches Lazio?

uhhh, anyone that cares about serie A considering they're in the top spot, and also their top performer is Mauri, isn't that the idea of meritocracy, the top performer from the top team being called up
GiuseppeRosanero

Would you rather DeRossi, seeing how he's SO in form right now! Monto's another keeper then, huh? Naturual second strikers? Oh you mean Pepe? Where's you're line up tough guy?
Gio

no. Roma really need to just sell him.