"That really doesn't work, I would let Giovinco and Di Natale play from the first minute". Who knows how many of you have indulged in considerations of this kind these days! This time however, the opinion comes from someone who understands strikers, if only because he has marked hundreds of them in his long and satisfying career. When he walked the playing fields, Mauro Bellugi wasn't so subtleotherwise on June 10, 1978, he could not have left people like Kempes, Bertoni and Ortiz empty-handed. That day Italy conquered the Monumental in Buenos Aires thanks to a goal by Roberto Bettega and the impeccable defense built by Enzo Bearzot, in which Bellugi really stood out in the middle of the Juve block. Even now that he's a columnist, Maurone hasn't lost the habit of tackling. When we asked him for his opinion on the national team, he certainly didn't hold back; forget the politically correct comments that former footballers usually give away, Bellugi has clear ideas and is not afraid to express them.
"First of all, I would bring De Rossi back into the middle of the field to protect Pirlo. Marchisio is good, but he can't do everything alone, given that Thiago Motta isn't up to it. Mind you, Daniele is playing great as a central defender, but his absence in midfield is too strong. A similar thing happened to me in my time, with Herrera who moved me a few meters further back. I asked why, and he replied that Suarez had to play there… It was a logical choice, but I don't think there are phenomena here…”.
Let's try to transform ourselves into Prandelli's defense lawyers and remind Bellugi that it all started with Barzagli's injury: “It was a bad shingle, there's no doubt about that. But the coach has a certain Ogbonna in their squad, I'd bet on him. Trust me, with De Rossi in the middle of the field things would have gone differently."
Daniele in his role and then what else? “The externals don't work. Let's be clear, I have nothing against Maggio and Giaccarini, but so far they have done their homework, while something more would be needed to play like this. Furthermore, the inclusion of Montolivo didn't convince me: too little personality for a European”.
So far Bellugi has thought about the interdiction phase, but the best is yet to come. When we mention Balotelli and Cassano to him, Mauro blurts out: “Mario has done too little, so he really isn't right. He's soft, he waits for the set ball, he does nothing to get out of the way and decide the match. Much better Di Natale, who makes the right movements and scores heavy goals. Of course, we can't always hope that he'll record in 20 minutes… Cassano, on the other hand, I've seen him better, at least he's been busy. But I would bet on Giovinco, who if he gets it right on the right day becomes impregnable. Those two should have more space."
There are many tactical criticisms, but Bellugi doesn't feel like picking on Prandelli. “But no, he did a good job in a very difficult moment. Let's not forget what happened in Coverciano, with the betting case and all the rest. And then there were the injuries, above all that of Barzagli. The group has remained compact and this is a great merit of the CT”.
Mauro is in the mood and we try to tease him a bit, asking him if, instead of Prandelli, he wouldn't have brought along a champion of the old guard. “Maybe I would have called up Totti, a great player, capable of playing multiple roles. Del Piero, however, no, this year he has played very little, it wouldn't have been right. The problem, however, is that with players like that you expose yourself to public opinion: at the first difficulty everyone wants them on the pitch. It's not easy to manage such pressure."
The drawing is in gloomy colors, but it is good to remember that all is not lost. “But I'm not very optimistic, even if Ireland should be able to beat them…”. Then her too fear the "biscuit" between Spain and Croatia? “No, not for that. Indeed, I am convinced that the red furies will win, they are too strong to develop a studied draw ".
So why this pessimism? “I'm afraid that against Ireland the tension will block us, it's not easy to play such important matches, especially with your ears pricked up on another pitch. Of course, if Spain immediately took the lead, everything would become easier…”.
