Why Italy can match the world’s best again under Cesare Prandelli

From Adriano from East Ivanhoe Melbourne

When the Italian Football Federation announced that former Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli had replaced Marcello Lippi at the post of the Italian national team, there were few who disputed the decision. Despite being untested at the highest level, Prandelli brought what most managers in Italy lacked, with that being an exciting approach that was well adapted to the changing style of the international game.

Irrespective of Lippi’s thoughts and decisions in South Africa, Italy were never going to win the 2010 World Cup, as they simply lacked the structure, talent and enthusiasm on the pitch required to succeed. Hopefully for their sake however, under Prandelli these issues will all be a thing of the past, as they look ahead to their upcoming fixtures.

The Azzurri meet Slovenia in a crucial European qualifier this weekend, whilst they square off against Ukraine in a friendly a few days later in Kiev. In terms of his squad selection, Prandelli has opted to exclude key midfielder Daniele De Rossi, and the promising Mario Balotelli, after both succumbed to respective bans at club level, allowing Prandelli to send yet another clear message on his zero tolerance policy towards violent behaviour.

Whilst his decision to leave the star duo out may seem harsh to some, it can only be of benefit for the future of the national team, as it allows Prandelli to prove his lack of favouritism irrespective of names and experience, and it also shows that everyone has to work hard for a place in the team, which has and will continue to restore the enthusiasm amongst the squad.

Recent reports have suggested that Prandelli has proposed the idea of having an Italian Under-21 side playing in the peninsula’s second division, in order to help develop and promote the talented youth of Italy. Italians have generally been supporters of home-grown talent, illustrated by their dominance of local players playing in the majority of Serie A’s top clubs. Whilst the development of home-grown talent is key to the success of the national team, Prandelli has been open  to the selection of those regarded to as ‘Oriundi’ in Italy, similar to some of Europe’s other top nations. Thus far in his tenure, Prandelli has called up four ‘oriundi’, including Thiago Motta, Cristian Ledesma, Mario Balotelli and Amauri.

Italy have never been renowned for having the strongest attacking line-up in the world, something which the forwards of 2010 can attend to. However under Prandelli, this is certain to change. Having no grudges against the talented Antonio Cassano, having patience with the troubled youngster Balotelli, and also having faith in the pint-sized Sebastian Giovinco, yet again proves that the tactician has the smarts required to succeed. No disrespect to Lippi, but although Italy were never going to win the recent World Cup, had he actually taken a moment to review the list of strikers he selected, perhaps the Azzurri would have emerged from what looked to be one of the easiest ever groups assembled. Instead, his pride and narrow-mindedness interfered resulting in one of the most embarrassing performances in their history.

With the European championships looming, Prandelli and the Italians will consider themselves a big chance to pose a threat. Whilst the likes of Spain and Germany may be amongst the strongest international sides in the world at present, with Prandelli at the helm, the future of Italian football is looking bright, for the first time since their triumph in Germany in 2006. There are still three years until Brazil 2014 gets underway, and so the former Viola tactician still has plenty of time to make his mark and lead the Azzurri back to the top.

Adriano from East Ivanhoe (aka Ardrrian Del Monte twitter: twitter.com/adriandelmonte)

Transfer Watch: Why Roma’s Daniele De Rossi is not the man for Real Madrid

From Adriano from East Ivanhoe Melbourne

It is a well-known fact that Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are on the hunt for a hard-working central midfielder, to play alongside Xabi Alonso in the heart of the park. Despite possessing the likes of Sami Khedira, Fernando Gago and Lassana Diarra, Mourinho is reportedly unconvinced by the trio’s recent performances, resulting in the search for yet another world-class addition to the squad.

Real have been linked closely to Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger more recently, however it has been their long-term admiration for AS Roma star Daniele De Rossi, which continues to attract the most attention.

De Rossi, who has been with Roma since the age of 17, has forever been touted as ‘Il Capitano Futuro’ (the future captain), and for this reason and more, he is not the man to solve Mourinho’s problems in midfield. Despite being valued at €25m, meaning he is the cheapest of the club’s three options at present, here are the reasons why Real Madrid should look elsewhere in the summer transfer window:

1. De Rossi is not the man they require for the big stage

Whilst Roma may be regarded as one of Italy’s best, De Rossi is yet to win a major piece of silverware in his time at club level. Two Coppa Italia titles and a couple of quarter finals appearances in the Champions League is all he has to show for his time thus far, facts that will not work in his favour. Ultimately, winning the Champions League is Mourinho’s goal at Madrid, and so he will want a new recruit to have some experience in the latter stages of that competition.

2. Real shouldn’t waste their time, as De Rossi is tied to Roma for life

Similar to their pursuits for the current Roma skipper Francesco Totti over the past five or six years, luring ‘Il Capitano Futuro’ away from the Olimpico will be a near impossible task. Despite his poor recent form, De Rossi is one of the club’s most prized assets, and they will therefore do everything within their power to keep hold of him. Additionally his father Alberto, who is coach of the Giallorossi’s youth team, recently confirmed that his son will never leave the Italian capital.

3. De Rossi’s inconsistency and temper this season

No one can question the fact that the 27-year-old plays with his heart on his sleeve every time he takes to the pitch. He is evidently very passionate about playing for Roma, however unfortunately this sometimes is his downfall. In just 23 league appearances this season, De Rossi has picked up seven yellow cards and been sent off once. Also, he has been often outplayed and outsmarted by a number of opposing midfields in Serie A this season, causing his reputation as one of the world’s best to diminish in 2010-11.

Adriano from East Ivanhoe (aka Ardrrian Del Monte twitter: twitter.com/adriandelmonte)