Italy take on Slovenia in Group C Euro2012 qualifying action.
Italy will look to consolidate first position when they travel to Slovena tomorrow for their Group C Euro2012 qualifier. Though they are sitting comfortably on ten points, the Azzurri will nonetheless be wary of Slovenia who could pull level with a win.
Eastern European venues have always been perilous for Italy, and Cesare Prandelli's side would not be overly disappointed with a draw. A victory against Slovenia, however, would leave Italy in a commanding, almost unassailable position at the top.
Prandelli looks to go with a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Lazio's Stefano Mauri set to play as the "1," behind former Sampdoria duo Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini.
Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal and will be shielded by a defensive quartet of Christian Maggio, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, and Federico Balzaretti, the Palermo full-back who is having an outstanding season at Palermo.
Alberto Aquilani, Riccardo Montolivio and Thiago Motta will be in midfield.
Prandelli had to omit Daniele De Rossi for discipline problems, a decision that De Rossi accepted with notable grace. His other combustible Italy teammate Mario Balotelli, now at Manchester City, also misses out for the same reason.
Samir Handanovic of Udinese will be the goalkeeper for Slovenia while Palermo's Josip Ilicic will play in midfield, completing the Italian connection in the Slovenian team.
Prediction: Many expect Italy to settle for a draw, but I think Italy will compete with zeal to claim a 2-0 win.
Eastern European venues have always been perilous for Italy, and Cesare Prandelli's side would not be overly disappointed with a draw. A victory against Slovenia, however, would leave Italy in a commanding, almost unassailable position at the top.
Prandelli looks to go with a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Lazio's Stefano Mauri set to play as the "1," behind former Sampdoria duo Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini.
Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal and will be shielded by a defensive quartet of Christian Maggio, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, and Federico Balzaretti, the Palermo full-back who is having an outstanding season at Palermo.
Alberto Aquilani, Riccardo Montolivio and Thiago Motta will be in midfield.
Prandelli had to omit Daniele De Rossi for discipline problems, a decision that De Rossi accepted with notable grace. His other combustible Italy teammate Mario Balotelli, now at Manchester City, also misses out for the same reason.
Samir Handanovic of Udinese will be the goalkeeper for Slovenia while Palermo's Josip Ilicic will play in midfield, completing the Italian connection in the Slovenian team.
Prediction: Many expect Italy to settle for a draw, but I think Italy will compete with zeal to claim a 2-0 win.
