Balotelli-Italy, the curse continues. Upon his return after the European Championship, Super Mario was supposed to be the attacking pivot in the match against Armenia, instead he seriously risks not playing. Fault of a fever that created a big problem for Cesare Prandelli. The coach will try to recover him until the end, but in any case Giovinco is ready. Men in 100% condition will be needed, because tonight's match (21pm local time, 19pm Italian) is very delicate, at least according to the coach: “We'll take the field aware of the importance of the match. We won't have to slow down, we play a lot and we have to be aware of that." Strong words, perhaps too much for a match that will see us face the Armenian national team, number 64 in the Fifa rankings, now in the third day of group B. But the coach does not want to repeat the mistakes of September, when the soft climate on the eve played a decisive role in the lackluster performance against Bulgaria (2-2) and Malta ("only" 2-0).
In short, everyone is on the lookout, also because it's time for the vice-champions of Europe to convince again. The opponent does not appear irresistible, but a couple of good individuals (the forward Movsisyan and the attacking midfielder Mkhitaryan) and a fiery climate are enough to make Prandelli apprehensive: "It's a team in evolution, modern, which plays well up front, woe to underestimate her. We have seen the videos of their last 3-4 games, they know how to pick up the pace during the match ”. However, Italy is in another category and will necessarily have to win the three points. That is why the coach, despite the pre-tactics ("I have already decided who will play but I have no intention of anticipating anything") will return to the 4-3-1-2 formation, the predominant system in his management. The attacking duo has yet to be established: we have already mentioned Balotelli and Osvaldo is not at his best either, due to a blow taken by Sirigu in a practice match.
The press conference was then an opportunity to take stock of current football issues. An answer to De Laurentiis was inevitable, who had insinuated that there was special attention for the Juventus players compared to the Neapolitans: “These are things that are not good for football, they invent situations that don't exist. Here you don't give anyone any advantages, you only think about the national team. There has been no favoritism towards players from one team or the other." Closure dedicated to Ranocchia, under investigation in the new vein on football betting: “We cannot convict him before the trial because he is under investigation. He plays for Inter, so he can play with us ”. Better to think of Armenia and Denmark, the next opponents that separate us from Brazil 2014.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Armenia (4-5-1): Berezovsky; Mkoyan, Arzumanyan, Hovsepyan, Yedigaryan; Edigaryan, Mkrtchyan, Hayrapetyan, Badoyan, Mkhitaryan; Movsisyan. Trainer: Vardan Minasyan.
Italy (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Criscito; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Giovinco (Balotelli), Osvaldo. Trainer: Cesare Prandelli.
