Preview: Slovenia v. Italy @ Ljubliana Euro2012 Qualification

March 24th, 2011 | by: Marco | Comments Off

Slovenia		-	Italy
25/03/2011	Ljubliana		Continental Qualifier

The stage is set for our first European Qualifier of the 2011 calendar year. Coming off a very respectable performance against the Germans in February at Dortmund, Prandelli and Co now travel to Slovenia to begin the daunting task of continuing their dominance of Group C.

Group C

		P	Pts
1	Italy	4	10
2	Slovenia	4	7
3	Estonia	4	6
4	Northern Ireland	3	5
5	Serbia	4	4
6	Faroe Islands	5	1

The Battle of Ljubliana.

Not since the days of Baggio and Dunga has there been such a battle scheduled to take place on the pitch between two heavy weights. Italy have been in tremendous form when it comes to Euro 2012 Qualifications and Prandelli has done it with a little flair and excitement. Slovenia though have not been slouches and are hot on the Azzurri’s heals. A win at home versus the Azzurri will surely tie the two up at the top of the Group C table and thus lay the foundation for a cracking match in Italy later this year.

Not in the script.

Group C has not gone according to script. Originally, the footy gods had it written that Italy and Serbia would battle for supremacy. But since their epic 7 minute battle at Stadio Luigi Ferraris back in October the drubbing Serbia received by both their fans and the lagger heads at UEFA has since put them in a precarious position with the Faroe Islands at the bottom of the table. Appropriately setting the stage for Italy v. Slovenia as the affair of the millennium.

Slovenia. FIFA ranked 17th | Group C ranked 2

Yes, Slovenia is one place ahead of France in the latest FIFA rankings. The same France that took care of Brazil a month ago. Slovenia, is not the aforementioned slouch and can easily call for an upset at tomorrow’s match. They are an organized team who has been tough to break down thus far. Slovenia’s most recent match in qualifying comes as a 1-0 win over Estonia. Earlier the very same team had fought to a standstill with Serbia (1-1). Their no push overs and their two previous wins against the Azzurri demonstrate that full well.

The Team.

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovič (Udinese Calcio), Jasmin Handanovič (Empoli FC), Vid Belec (FC Crotone).

Defenders: Siniša Andjelkovič (US Città di Palermo), Mišo Brečko (1. FC Köln), Boštjan Cesar (AC Chievo Verona), Branko Ilič (FC Lokomotiv Moskva), Bojan Jokić (AC Chievo Verona), Matej Mavrič (Kapfenberger SV), Marko Šuler (KAA Gent), Mitja Viler (NK Maribor).

Midfielders: Armin Bačinovič (US Città di Palermo), Valter Birsa (AJ Auxerre), Josip Iličič (US Citta di Palermo), Andraž Kirm (Wisła Kraków), Robert Koren (Hull City AFC), Nejc Pečnik (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Aleksander Radosavljevič (ADO Den Haag), Goran Šukalo (MSV Duisburg), Dare Vršič (NK Olimpija Ljubljana)*.

Forwards: Zlatko Dedič (VfL Bochum 1848), Zlatan Ljubijankič (KAA Gent), Milivoje Novakovič (1. FC Köln), Tim Matavž (FC Groningen)

Their most notable Serie A contributions are Udinese’s Handanovic and Ilicic from Palermo. However, there is significant influence throughout this team when it comes to the Italian influence.  9 of the players selected for this tilt are employed within the Italian system.

Their top goal scorers look like this:

Player	Goals	P
Tim Matavž	3	3
Milivoje Novakovič	2	4
Zlatko Dedič	1	4

Italy. FIFA ranked 11. Group C ranked 1.

Prandelli will have his work cut out for him  against Slovenia. Starters De Rossi (Roma) and Balotelli (Manchester City) misbehaved over the last month and thus were removed from the squad. While more importantly Pirlo and Cassani are both missing due to injury.

Here’s the justification, Balotelli has featured in only two games thus far for Prandelli; injury has played the influential part to his absence. Thus there is no chemistry loss when it comes to his absence. De Rossi, is a welcomed omission for me, albeit due to his behaviour rather than inconsistent performances. He’s been off the mark for about two years now; and so this will be a perfect opportunity to actually see if we can achieve our stated objectives without him in the lineup.

Pirlo and Cassani’s absence are more crucial. I still maintain that Pirlo could have been the missing link when it came to the match against the Germans. He could have been that ‘one’ ingredient that could have propelled us to defeating them at Dortmund. Cassani on the other hand, has earned his stripes at the RB position for the Azzurri; whether Maggio or Santon can fill the void remains to be seen. Here’s the team:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (US Città di Palermo), Emiliano Viviano (Bologna FC).

Defenders: Davide Astori (Cagliari Calcio), Federico Balzaretti (US Città di Palermo), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa CFC), Daniele Gastaldello (UC Sampdoria), Christian Maggio (SSC Napoli),Andrea Ranocchia (FC Internazionale Milano), Davide Santon (AC Cesena).

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Stefano Mauri (S.S. Lazio), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (FC Internazionale Milano), Antonio Nocerino (US Città di Palermo), Marco Parolo (AC Cesena).

Forwards: Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Alberto Gilardino (ACF Fiorentina), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma FC), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (FC Internazionale Milano), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal CF).

Prandelli’s probable starting line up is Buffon; Maggio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Balzaretti; Montolivo, Motta, Aquilani, Mauri; Pazzini, Cassano.

Marco’s thoughts. Although I really can’t complain when it comes to this starting line up; I do have cause for concern. Bonucci, how good has he been this year? Has he earned a tremendous amount of accolades thus far at Juventus? I mean, he is struggling to maintain his starting roll against Barzagli – a seasoned, sluggish CB. Ranocchia for me – based off his Inter form would have made for an ideal starter. His performance against Bayern Munich, started off rough, but progressively got better. It could be argued that he made the most decisive play of the second leg in the Champions League draw. He also adds something to the back line which is missing at the moment. He’s a CB that’s not afraid to carry the ball up the pitch – much like a Nesta.

The second gripe, is with the lack of Abate and Abbiati. Both have been tremendous for Milan this year. I know Abbiati isn’t a spring chicken; but at the same time his performances themselves deserve the nod to carry us through EURO 2012 qualifications. I don’t think anyone can argue. I’m not saying leave Buffon at home, but let him Captain from the bench while we ride out Abbiati’s magnificent form. For those of you who haven’t seen, Milan are not riding tremendous offence or great midfield, they are riding the back of Abbiati to a possible Scudetto. He has been that stunning!

As for Abate, he has come a long way. In a previous article I argued Prandelli should call him up to the RW or RM for the Azzurri – just in front of Cassani. I still agree with that statement. But, with Cassani’s injury, this would have been a great opportunity to showcase this young RB. He’s gone from an unsteady hand to a sure thing – his pace is definitely something to behold.

Other than that, let’s not be to hasty in calling for a victory. Slovenia, is an organized team with a tremendous youth movement. They can easily claim victory tomorrow night and even up the table. However, based on what I’m able to gather from our lineup, Prandelli will have the upper hand.  Our fullbacks are dangerous and  our midfield will be solid (I know some of you have your doubts about Montolivo) The CB’s are a little shaky in my opinion and Buffon is still making mistakes for Juventus. Let’s hope we can go in, impress, and walk out of Slovenia with three points in our pocket.  Also, on the anniversary of 150 years since Italian Unification – Pazzini and Cassano have been re-Unified in the Azzurri’s attack!

Quick  update.

Do to scheduling difficulties I will be unable to conduct a liveblog tomorrow. However, I will have a post up tomorrow, specifically geared towards the match. So feel free to follow along and leave as many comments as you’d like. In a way, it’ll probably be better than an actual live blog!