Italy can take command of Group C with a win against Serbia in tomorrow's Euro2012 qualifier.
Estonia upset the balance of Group C with a shocking 3-1 win over Serbia. The Serbs, therefore, will be looking to gain all three points against Italy, which is a tall task away from home. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will also be looking to bounce back from his team's latest unspectacular performance against Northern Ireland in Belfast.
After a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland, Italy themselves will be eager for maximum points against Serbia in Genoa tomorrow. Coach Cesare Prandelli is set to start with a 4-4-2, relinquishing momentarily his 4-3-3 after midfielder Daniele De Rossi pulled out with an injury.
Sampdoria duo Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano will start up front, and Prandelli has already warned Cassano that he expects much from him, especially in front of a partisan crowd.
In midfield, Stefano Mauri, Angelo Palombo, Andrea Pirlo, and Claudio Marchisio will try to find the creative force of Cassano up front.
Meanwhile, Gianluca Zambrotta returns at full-back, and he will now be able to earn his 100th cap for Italy. Emiliano Viviano will guard the goal behind Zambrotta, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Domenico Criscito.
Milos Krasic had firmly laid down the gauntlet by revealing how much he wanted to beat Italy. However, after Serbia's shock loss to Estonia at home, things will not be easy for his team. The towering attacker Nikola Zigic will be up in attack, while Inter's Dejan Stankovic will provide the midfield inspiration.
Prandelli's main concerns center around how to get this side to play the attacking football he envisions. Cassano has been in scintillating form against Faroe Islands, but he needs to replicate that performance against Serbia. Cassano is undoubtedly the player around which Italy will be built. He is the man that will lead them into Euro2012, but he is yet to show his full potential.
The real test for Italy starts now. The Azzurri have gathered seven points--one more than Estonia--from their first three games, which is a reasonable tally. However, a slip against Serbia, which is not outside the realm of possibility, would make life complicated in Group C. Notwithstanding the peril, Italy should win 1-0 at home.
After a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland, Italy themselves will be eager for maximum points against Serbia in Genoa tomorrow. Coach Cesare Prandelli is set to start with a 4-4-2, relinquishing momentarily his 4-3-3 after midfielder Daniele De Rossi pulled out with an injury.
Sampdoria duo Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano will start up front, and Prandelli has already warned Cassano that he expects much from him, especially in front of a partisan crowd.
In midfield, Stefano Mauri, Angelo Palombo, Andrea Pirlo, and Claudio Marchisio will try to find the creative force of Cassano up front.
Meanwhile, Gianluca Zambrotta returns at full-back, and he will now be able to earn his 100th cap for Italy. Emiliano Viviano will guard the goal behind Zambrotta, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Domenico Criscito.
Milos Krasic had firmly laid down the gauntlet by revealing how much he wanted to beat Italy. However, after Serbia's shock loss to Estonia at home, things will not be easy for his team. The towering attacker Nikola Zigic will be up in attack, while Inter's Dejan Stankovic will provide the midfield inspiration.
Prandelli's main concerns center around how to get this side to play the attacking football he envisions. Cassano has been in scintillating form against Faroe Islands, but he needs to replicate that performance against Serbia. Cassano is undoubtedly the player around which Italy will be built. He is the man that will lead them into Euro2012, but he is yet to show his full potential.
The real test for Italy starts now. The Azzurri have gathered seven points--one more than Estonia--from their first three games, which is a reasonable tally. However, a slip against Serbia, which is not outside the realm of possibility, would make life complicated in Group C. Notwithstanding the peril, Italy should win 1-0 at home.
