After Mario Balotelli was sent packing home after picking up an injury, it remains to be seen which player Cesare Prandelli will deploy as to lead the attack in the semi-final against Spain
Weakened by injuries and always chastened by the memories of that crushing loss to the same opponents some 12 months ago, Italy will be looking to use their imagination when they take on Spain in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup.
The last time these two sides met, Spain mauled the Italians 4-0 to retain their European title. After romping their way past their opponents during the group phases, Spain will be looking to seal a date in the final with host nation Brazil who eliminated Uruguay in the other semi-final last night.
Right-back Ignazio Abate and Mario Balotelli’s tournament is over and it is the latter’s early departure that is a crushing blow to the Azzurri’s plans of redemption. In the past 12 months, the AC Milan striker has become an important part of Prandelli’s starting XI.
If there was one player who would have perfectly replaced Balotelli, it would have been AS Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo. However, due to his disciplinary reasons, the striker was banished from the squad and Prandelli is left with options that might not be that ideal against Spain.
As of now, Italy have three striking options in the shape of Sebastien Giovinco, Stephen El-Sharaway and Alberto Gilardino.
Giovinco playing as a striker might not be the best option out there considering the fact that the Juventus man is more productive down the flanks. Moreover, due to his lack of physicality, Giovinco will never be an imposing presence inside the box like Balotelli.
Another option would be to start the game with Balotelli’s club teammate, Stephen El-Sharaway. The young striker is widely considered as the future of Italian football. However, in recent months, the player’s form has been affected. Many people have criticised the player for being too predictable. Indeed, the player’s recent performances have shown that most of the defenders out there have got a measure of him which means that pitting him up against the likes of Gerard Pique and co will not be the safest bet for a place in the final.
With the striking options they have at the moment, experienced Bologna striker, Alberto Gilardino is the best one. The former Fiorentina man is no Balotelli by any means but after being in the national team for a long time, he will do a far better job at spearheading the attack.
The striker has the ability to hold the ball and rise up for headers from set-pieces, something that sets him apart from the likes of Giovinco and Shaarawy. However, it should be kept in mind that the striker is not the quickest of his kind or a mobile one for that matter.
Against a team like Spain, that likes to keep possession of the ball at all times, Italy need a player who can rush into defenders and Gilardino might not be the right player for this. However, playing with two strikers up front might be a solution. Starting the game with both Gilardino and El-Shaarawy could do the trick for an Italian side that is in for a tough night today.
The last time these two sides met, Spain mauled the Italians 4-0 to retain their European title. After romping their way past their opponents during the group phases, Spain will be looking to seal a date in the final with host nation Brazil who eliminated Uruguay in the other semi-final last night.
Right-back Ignazio Abate and Mario Balotelli’s tournament is over and it is the latter’s early departure that is a crushing blow to the Azzurri’s plans of redemption. In the past 12 months, the AC Milan striker has become an important part of Prandelli’s starting XI.
If there was one player who would have perfectly replaced Balotelli, it would have been AS Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo. However, due to his disciplinary reasons, the striker was banished from the squad and Prandelli is left with options that might not be that ideal against Spain.
As of now, Italy have three striking options in the shape of Sebastien Giovinco, Stephen El-Sharaway and Alberto Gilardino.
Giovinco playing as a striker might not be the best option out there considering the fact that the Juventus man is more productive down the flanks. Moreover, due to his lack of physicality, Giovinco will never be an imposing presence inside the box like Balotelli.
Another option would be to start the game with Balotelli’s club teammate, Stephen El-Sharaway. The young striker is widely considered as the future of Italian football. However, in recent months, the player’s form has been affected. Many people have criticised the player for being too predictable. Indeed, the player’s recent performances have shown that most of the defenders out there have got a measure of him which means that pitting him up against the likes of Gerard Pique and co will not be the safest bet for a place in the final.
With the striking options they have at the moment, experienced Bologna striker, Alberto Gilardino is the best one. The former Fiorentina man is no Balotelli by any means but after being in the national team for a long time, he will do a far better job at spearheading the attack.
The striker has the ability to hold the ball and rise up for headers from set-pieces, something that sets him apart from the likes of Giovinco and Shaarawy. However, it should be kept in mind that the striker is not the quickest of his kind or a mobile one for that matter.
Against a team like Spain, that likes to keep possession of the ball at all times, Italy need a player who can rush into defenders and Gilardino might not be the right player for this. However, playing with two strikers up front might be a solution. Starting the game with both Gilardino and El-Shaarawy could do the trick for an Italian side that is in for a tough night today.
