The form
Mexico and Italy enter the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup having failed to win any of their last two matches respectively. However, the Azzurri might feel less disadvantaged than El Tri in terms of confidence.
Drawing 2-2 against minnows Haiti on Tuesday was not the best result to clinch but manager Cesare Prandelli is not too bothered; his side have been able to step up their performance when it matters most as friendly encounters are widely used to experiment with other options. Besides, Prandelli was certain the stalemate against Haiti was due to jet lag problems.
“We knew that was a risk. But I'm not worried,” the Italian told the press on Wednesday.
“We have (five) days to work on our physical condition. And we also need to find more motivation. I know it was a long club season but we need to produce something special here.”
On the contrary, the Mexicans have a reason to feel concerned. They have won only one of their last three matches which were all crucial CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Before that, in late May, they got nothing more than a 2-2 draw against AFCON 2013 champions and FIFA Confederations Cup Group B contenders Nigeria. Still, coach De La Torre remains positive.
“Mexico has enough strength to beat anyone at any venue, and we hope that can happen in the Confederations Cup,” he declared this week.
“Many didn't think that Mexico could win a medal in London, and in the event we pulled off a big surprise.”
If Mexico’s defence holds a commendable record in 2013, the team’s attacking machine needs to click better. In their last two games, El Tri have failed to find the net. They stumbled to goalless draws against Panama and Costa Rica in the space of four days and must now find the keys to unlock Italy’s goal line guarded by Gianluigi Buffon this Sunday.
Players to watch
Chicharito’s name is on the lips of every Mexican fan. Despite not having too many club football appearances under his belt, the young chap hardly disappoints on international duty. His goal ratio for El Tri stands at 0.68 with a tally of 32 goals scored in 47 appearances. Javier Hernandez is expected to give Cesare Prandelli’s defensive line a lot of problems at the Estadio do Maracaña in Rio de Janeiro this Sunday. In the absence of key player Carlos Vela (who has reportedly fallen out with manager Jose Manuel de la Torre due to 'lack of commitment to the national team'), the Little Pea will have to carry a big load on his shoulders – not just against the Italians but throughout the competiton.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Manchester United striker is not the only one under the spotlight ahead of the Mexico vs Italy Group A match. Like Chicharito is for the Mexicans, ex-Manchester City problem child Mario Balotelli is also the Italians’ ace. ‘Super Mario’, as he is called, left his mark in his first and most recent major tournament so far – the 2012 European Championship.
A year after inspiring the Azzurri to the second position at Euro 2012, Mario Balotelli is poised to shine at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. The duel involving the Milan forward and Mexico’s Javier Hernandez is a juicy one – albeit not the only one on paper considering the huge amount of potential Italy and Mexico both possess in their respective squad.
Mexico’s squad
Goalkeepers: Talavera, Corona, Ochoa
Defenders: Reyes, Rodriguez, Meza, Mier, Moreno, Jorge Torres Nilo
Midfielders: Molina, Torrado, Zavala, Barrera, Herrera, Salcido, Reyna, Aquino, Guardado
Forwards: Aldo de Nigris, Giovani Dos Santos, Peralta, Jimenez, Hernandez
Italy’s squad
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Marchetti, Sirigu
Defenders Chiellini, Maggio, De Sciglio, Astori, Bonucci, Barzagli, Abate
Midfielders: Aquilani, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pirlo, Montolivo, Diamanti, Giaccherini
Forwards: Gilardino, Balotelli, El Shaarawy, Giovinco, Cerci
Head-to-head
June 13, 2002: Mexico 1-1 Italy (FIFA World Cup)
June 3, 2010: Italy 1-2 Mexico (Friendly Match)
Prediction
The Italians bottled their previous Confederations Cup campaign but the squad has changed a lot in four years. However, the combination between Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy is yet to gel. The Italians might not be able to produce many goals at the Maracaña where Brazil and England played out a 2-2 draw to inaugurate it in May. Expect Mexico to remain tight all over the field. The game is likely to end in a draw.
Result: Mexico 1-1 Italy
