“It's the most important match of my coaching career. Should it go wrong, we will take our responsibilities." Cesare Prandelli didn't mince words to present Italy-Ireland, which this evening (Poznan, 20.45 pm) will decide our destiny at Euro 2012. “The team arrives very well at this appointment, even physically. Compared to the other two races we will raise the pace”. Yes, because Prandelli has in mind to revolutionize Italy, at least the one seen recently. Goodbye 3-5-2, a formation that up to now he has convinced on and off, welcome back 4-3-1-2, the tactical system with which the Azzurri qualified for the European Championships. A choice that, at least on paper, finds that critical-popular consensus so far lacking. But the revolution won't be just tactics: compared to the matches against Spain and Croatia, there will be 4 different interpreters, who should finally bring fresh legs. In defense there will be the return of Barzagli (yesterday Prandelli tried Bonucci, but Andrea will play) and the news Abate and Balzaretti, with Maggio and Giaccarini who will take a seat on the bench. In midfield it will be a three-man line, with Pirlo in the control room (here we really don't argue!), flanked by De Rossi and Marchisio, who will have to alternate both in the defensive and offensive phase. Thiago Motta will act behind the strikers, with the eager Diamanti on the bench, however ready to make his debut in this European Championship. The revolution will also strike in attack, where alongside Cassano (one of the coach's untouchables) will be Di Natale, the only striker to score so far. A technical choice to all intents and purposes, given that Balotelli has recovered from the knee injury sustained on Saturday and will be able and enlisted. A rejection for Super Mario, rather disappointing so far, which however will not be definitive. Indeed, Prandelli will include him during the match, betting everything on the (hopefully healthy) anger of the Manchester City forward, who has all the credentials to make a difference. It goes without saying that the match against Trap will count up to a certain point, because the games will be decided equally in Gdansk, where Croatia-Spain will be played. A draw with goals (1-1) would put us in great difficulty (at which point we would have to score at least 3), a 2-2 would literally throw us out of the European Championship. Cesare Prandelli, however, does not want to hear about biscuits: “It all depends on us, we just have to think about our result. It is inconceivable to think that a team like Spain, which has based its entire image on play and entertainment, could plan the outcome of a match. We have to win against Ireland, and we have the means to do it, even if it won't be easy because they have nothing to lose." Because whatever happens tomorrow Ireland will go home, while we, on the other hand, really don't want to get on that plane.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Italy (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Thiago Motta; Cassano, DiNatale.
On the bench: De Sanctis, Sirigu, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Maggio, Giaccarini, Diamanti, Montolivo, Nocerino, Borini, Balotelli, Giovinco.
Technical Commissioner:Cesare Prandelli.
Unavailable: nobody.
Disqualified: nobody.
Be wary: Montolivo, Thiago Motta, Balotelli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Maggio.
Ireland (4-4-2): Given; O'Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward; Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady; Keane, Doyle.
On the bench: Westwood, Kelly, McShane, O'Dea, Gibson, Hunt, Green, McClean, Walters, Cox, Long, Forde.
Technical Commissioner: John Trapattoni.
Unavailable: nobody.
Disqualified: nobody.
Be wary: Keane, Whelan, St Ledger, Andrews.
Referee: Cüneyt Çakir (TUR).
Line assistants: Bahattin Duran (TUR), Tarik Ongun (TUR).
Door attendants: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR), Bülent Yildirim (TUR).
Fourth man: Viktor Shvetsov (UKR).
