Italy vs Japan Preview

It is highly expected that Italy manager, Cesare Prandelii will keep the same side that did so well against Mexico in the opening game of the tournament at the fabled Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. 

 

A fantastic free-kick from the evergreen Andrea Pirlo who was making his 100th appearance for the Azzurri was cancelled out by a goal by Javier Hernandez. However, Mario Balotelli once again showed why Prandelli is willing to give him as many chances as he can after the Milan forward scored in the latter stages of the game to hand his side valuable points against the Mexicans. 

 

Japan on the other hand, were beaten 3-0 at Estadio Nacional de Brasilia in the opening game of the tournament against the hosts.

 

Though they had a few chances to make a game out of it, the reigning Asian champions were unable to provide stiff resistance to the Selecao which means that a win against the Italians is important if they want to keep their hopes of a place in the last four, alive. 

 

Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa were way below their usual best and Alberto Zaccheroni might consider replacing the former who was sent off by referee, Pedro Proenca. 

Italy will enter the field on June 19 looking to further compound on Japan’s misery. And with the likes of Mario Balotelli, Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo and Andrea Pirlo starting the tournament very brightly, it will be quite interesting to see how they perform against a Japanese side that has indeed come a long way in international football since the appointment of Zaccheroni who has added much needed tactical awareness to the squad. 

 

Japan on the other hand, know that they need to hold the European giants for at least a draw if they aspire to go far in the tournament. Although they were always considered as the underdogs, Zaccheroni would want his side to do well against the Italians and make a case of themselves to do well at the World Cup for which they have already sealed qualification. 

For Italy, it would once again be Andrea Pirlo who will be orchestrating everything good that the Italians will do. Despite his age, the Juventus midfielder has not lost his class with his amazing free-kick goal testament of the fact that he can still rub shoulders with the best in the business. 

 

Japan will be hoping to get the best out of Keisuke Honda. With most of his midfield partners in awe of the Brazilian squad, the CSKA Moscow midfielder held his own but did not get much support from his teammates. And if Japan are to get a decent result against the Italians, it is important for the Blue Samurai to operate as a unit especially in the midfield. 

The last time these two sides met was back in November 2001 in an international friendly at the Saitama Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. This will be the second time these sides face each other. 

 

Jun 16, 2013: Mexico 1-2 Italy (Confederations Cup)

Jun 11, 2013: Italy 2-2 Haiti (International Friendly)

Jun 7, 2013: Czech Republic 0-0 Italy (World Cup qualifier) 

May 31, 2013: Italy 4-0 San Marino (International Friendly)

Mar 26, 2013: Malta 0-2 Italy (World Cup qualifier) 

 

 

Jun 15, 2013: Brazil 3-0 Japan (Confederations Cup)

Jun 11, 2013: Iraq 0-1 Japan (World Cup qualifier)

Jun 4, 2013: Japan 1-1 Australia (World Cup qualifier)

May 30, 2013: Japan 0-2 Bulgaria (International Friendly)

Mar 26, 2013: Jordan 2-1 Japan (World Cup qualifier)

Italy were lauded by the press following their win over Mexico. Although the scoreline was a close one, Italy’s overall game-play was quite delightful. Now it is the turn of Japan to face an Italian side that has arrived in Japan not merely to aim for the Confederations Cup but also to give a teaser of what’s coming in South America next year. The game will not be an easy one for the Blue Samurai and it would be too optimistic to think that they will prevail against Balotelli and co.