When it comes to winning the world cup, two teams can never be discredited, Italy and Brazil. However I have seen very little support for the Italians entering this world cup, perhaps it was their unbeaten qualification campaign which has led to doubts over their credentials. Or perhaps it is that the spine of the reigning World Champions remaining the same. Italy have experience throughout the team and have one of the best managers in the world at their helm. Why are they in some quarters being given odds of 16/1?
The biggest argument against Italy is their age. With 5 of their first 11 over thirty and their captain the far side of 36 it is thought that against more fluid opposition like the Dutch or Argentinians that the Italians could not stand a chance. Also, the centre of the Italians defense and Goalkeeper have all arrived in South Africa after terrible domestic seasons. Without a rock-solid defence the Italian style of football could not possible hope to succeed.
This argument is flawed in several areas, whilst the Juventus trio are coming off a bad season it was more the fault of poor management than a perceived dip in quality. Under Lippi; Buffon, Cannavaro and Cheillini could regain the form that made them World Champions in 2006.
Secondly, the perception that this is an aging Italian squad does not hold up to scrutiny, only 3 players are over the age of 33, one of which is a back-up goalkeeper. In midfield only one of the starting players is over 30, and because he is Pirlo he won’t have much mobility anyway.
The Italian side does not have the prestige of the Spanish coming into the tournament having “failed” in Euro 2008. Looking back on that tournament the Italians were only eliminated in a penalty shoot-out against the Spanish having held them to a goal-less draw (the only team to do so in that tournament).
This year the Italians shall have Chiellini and an in-form Di Natale who could provide goals for them. The Italian style of football is relying on being able to score one goal whilst not conceding. With one of the best Goalkeeper’s in the world and a solid defence Italy should be able to achieve the latter. However, goal-scoring shall be an entirely different matter.
This will be the first World Cup in 20 years where Italy will be without a “No 10” having left Totti and Del Piero behind, Di Natale has been given the number for this tournament but will probably not be playing in that withdrawn striker’s role. Instead Italy may well play the more conventional diamond with Di Natale playing as an out-and-out striker alongside Iaquinta or the sometimes spectacular, sometimes infuriating Quagliarella.
In the knock-out stages Italy will only need to score one goal and with two strikers and support from De Rossi in midfield that is likely to happen.
Finally, Italy have been graced with a fairly ‘easy’ group, having seen Paraguay fail to beat an Irish side emulating an Italian side and New Zealand not being considered a threat. Italy can be confident with qualifying from the group with their match against Slovakia determining the winner. Should they finish top they would face Denmark, Cameroon or Japan. For a side of Italy’s credentials a formulaic win over any of these teams would be expected.
If all goes as expected the quarter finals shall be the true test of the Italians. The winner of Group H (Spain) shall play the runner up of the group of death, meaning an Iberian derby could be on the cards. If Italy were to meet either team it will be the litmus test of their winning potential. A win over the European Champions would provide the confidence necessary to go on to the semi-finals and finals willing to take on anyone.
All this listed above is why I believe Italy will be the first team to win back-to-back world cups since 1962, after all it has to happen sometime.
(There is no way however that I am picking Italy as I got them in my office pool and want to justify my hopes. No way whatsoever.)
Comprehensive argument there kip, but I have to agree with the bookies odds.
Being Irish, I obviously followed the qualifiers closely and a very average Irish side held Italy twice (almost beat them in Dublin). The fact that Ireland finished 2nd in the group said a lot about the quality of the others.
I can’t recall an Italian WC squad so lacking in stars (Maldini, Del Piero, Costacurta, Totti……all now gone).
Cannavao is not the player he was and if Pirlo is struggling the I just can’t fancy them.
That said, as you point out, they have a relatively easy passage early-on and when it gets to the knock-out stages you can never write them off.
I’ll never forget 1982 when Rossi did for the Brazilians who were red hot favourites.
You may win the money yet…..but I doubt it!
This happens before every WC tournament though. Everybody writes Italy Off. But we will see, Last world cup Italy had an incredible squad, lets see if it will be the same this year.
i thought zinedine zidane will play again for france and will start head butting italian players to win the world cup
Italy in the last world cup won 6 games drew 1 and lost none, they also scored 14 goals and only 2 against, one an own goal and the other a debatable penalty in the final where they also had a legitamate goal disallowed for offside, Toni who scored with a header was not offside another Italian player who wasoffside did not interfere with play. So they were deserved world cup winners but this time with the team Lippi chose they have no hope. He could have done much better with the talent he left at home. Spain will win it and I DONT SUPPORT THEM AT ALL.
Why italy won’t win the world cup they almost got last place if it wasn’t for new zealand and lost to mexico neough said
italy will kick but in this cup! there first game was rough they tied but still! All soanish ppl out there think that they r better and that italians are old players! sure they r but they are pround unlike Spain that likes to cheat and say italians cheat! really go F*** ! ur just mAd that they won all the world cups! Azzuri, de rosi! the best!!!! ITALIANS R THE BEST SO IS THE SICCER TEAM YEA SURE IM COCKY BUT IM PROUD TO BE ITALIAN AND THATS IT ! I BET THEY R TOO!!! we can chear and chear all we want! i agree with robert Spain might win but im not chhering them on at all! in fact ui jhope they lose casue they think werong with utaly! IM PROUD MAN CANT STOP ME AT ALL EVEN IF THEY DO LOSE ILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF THEM WINNG FROICKEN 4!!!!1 WORLD CUPS
Same old Italy, always cheating. What a disgraceful dive against New Zealand today. They don’t even deserve to advance to the next round. Not to mention they place the most disgusting, ugly, unimaginative style on the planet. Holland are the most deserving team in the tournament. They’ve given much more to the sport than Italy ever has and are a much more deserving team.
@ Francesca….you are a perfect example of a GUIDO
It’s good to see they lost after the disgraceful performance of Fabio Grosso last time, effectively stealing the game against the Australians in the 93rd minute. They should have NEVER won last time, and I’m glad that the cheating, stealing, bribing bastards didn’t even win their class this time.
You said “I believe Italy will be the first team to win back-to-back world cups”, but that is flawed. They didn’t win last time, they stole the cup.