How Italy qualified for Euro 2012
The Azzurri went through the qualifiers under a lot of pressure following the country’s poor showing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Prandelli took matters in his own hands and led Italy to Euro 2012 without experiencing defeat.
Remarkably, the Azzurri conceded only 2 goals in over 900 minutes of Euro 2012 qualification football. Their campaign was marked by ugly scenes when Italy hosted Serbia in Genoa on October 12. Crowd violence from a minor group of hooligans saw the match abandoned. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body handed an automatic 3-0 win forfeit win to the Italians.
After recording wins against Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands, the Azzurri met Serbia in Belgrade for the return fixture. The game ended 1-1 with Branislav Ivanovic cancelling out Marchisio’s 1st minute opener.
Italy bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win at home to Northern Ireland on Matchday 10. Antonio Cassano scored a brace in that match and took his tally to 6 goals in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Who is Italy’s coach?
Italy’s national football team was in ruins after the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Cesare Prandelli has been putting the broken pieces back together since a couple of years now. His appointment as Italy coach in 2010 made big noise in the media. The former Fiorentina boss came at a time when the country was desperate to make the right choice following Marcello Lippi’s departure.
Looking at how Italy performed throughout the 2012 European Championship qualifiers, only few can doubt Prandelli’s credibility now. As a player at Juventus, he won the Serie A thrice on the trot between the 1980/81 and 1983/84 seasons. Cesare Prandelli is also a Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup winner.
Who are Italy’s key players?
Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon can look back at his career thus far as being outstanding. He has triumphed and suffered with the Italian national football team. The highlight of his career remains the 2006 FIFA World Cup when the Azzurri beat France to clinch glory.
During Euro 2008 and South Africa 2010, Gianluigi Buffon tasted bitterness. A great season with Juventus and a great run throughout the Euro 2012 qualifiers have rejuvenated the keeper. He will be tasked to maintain Italy’s excellent defending record and who says he does not have the capacity to do that at the age of 34?
Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli
Under Cesare Prandelli, Antonio Cassano has shown brilliance. His input for the Azzurri during the qualification campaign was vital. Cassano is a charismatic leader in attack. The UEFA Euro 2012 could mark his international football career on a positive note.
Mario Balotelli shares similarities with Antonio Cassano. Both are considered as bad boys. Cesare Prandelli’s job will be to overcome distraction from the media and get the best of these forwards. Balotelli is a talented lad who could be the perfect ingredient to spice up Italy’s UEFA Euro 2012 campaign.
Italy’s Euro 2012 squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Morgan De Sanctis, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Ignazio Abate, Federico Balzaretti, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Christian Maggio, Angelo Ogbonna
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Diamanti, Emanuele Giaccherini, Claudio Marchisio, Riccardo Montolivo, Thiago Motta, Antonio Nocerino, Andrea Pirlo
Forwards: Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini, Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale, Sebastian Giovinco
Who are Italy’s Euro 2012 group opponents?
Italy are in a tough group with Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and European champions Spain. Although this is not the tournament’s group of death, it could bring up surprises. After defending an unbeaten record during the qualification phase, Italy will be out to perform on the biggest stage. The outcome of their first match, which is against Spain, will certainly have a huge impact on the rest of their campaign.
Italy’s group matches schedule
June 10, 2012: Spain vs Italy – PGE Arena, Gdansk
June 14, 2012: Italy vs Croatia – Municipal Stadium, Poznan
June 18, 2012: Italy vs Republic of Ireland – Municipal Stadium, Poznan
More on Italy’s live streaming and TV schedule info page.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Italy will try to bring back some lost pride during Euro 2012. With 977 points, they are part of Europe’s 10 best national teams under FIFA.
However, they sit outside the top 10 zone (and in 12th position precisely) in the whole world. Remarkably, even Group C opponents Croatia are above the Azzurri in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
