Alert: COPA DEL MONDO BRAZIL 2014: GROUP STAGE (2) ITALY VS COSTA RICA, ARENA PERNAMBUCO, RECIFE

No disrespect, but can we spell cup the Italian way...Coppa

 

Hopefully Italy does not fall back into it's old habits of falling asleep on lesser known teams because Costa Rica looks good.

 

What's the expected temp?

Apparently they have time-outs for really bad conditions but of course - they said no for our game.

 

81 degrees with 75% humidity and a 30% chance of scattered showers.. Game will be played in the day time so expect the conditions to be just as bad as in the jungle.

 

“I am feeling much better now. I think I’ll be ready to play against Costa Rica,” De Sciglio told journalists.

 

That will make a big difference.

Chiellini moves back to CB (where he belongs), with Paletta being dropped. And it goes without saying that De Sciglio is a much better fullback than Chiellini. He will actually provide a serious threat going forward.

 

If he is healthy, we will have two rising stars at fullback (assuming 4 at the back). They both have a lot to learn, but it is exciting to watch the two grow into their roles. Both seem mature beyond their years.

 

For this game I hope to see Chiellini and Barzagli in center of defense, with De Sciglio on the left and Darmian on the right. Prandelli could also drop one midfielder in favor of Cassano, so that Mario has more support up top.

He should retain at all costs the midfield of Pirlo-De Rossi-Verratti. Those three together are pure class.

 

DAI RAGAZZIIIIII!!! ANDIAMO!!!!!

 

Reports say Buffon out until Uruguay. De Sciglio back for Costa Rica.

 

Buffon is done, Sirigu should be playing.

 

I expect Prandelli to introduce Cassano here

 

I would have Insigne instead of Marchisio.

Drop Paletta. If De Sciglio is fit move Chiellini inside and De Sciglio on the left. If De Sciglio does not make it, put Bonucci in the centre. Everyone else is fine.

 

I don't think Cassano can last 60-65 mins in the expected heat. Maybe bring him off the bench.

 

Sirigu
Darmian- Barzagli - Chiellini - De Sciglio
De Rossi - Pirlo - Verratti
Balotelli - Insigne

My 11

Unless things go awry, plan to bring Marchisio on for Pirlo, Candreva for De Rossi and Cassano for Insigne.

I like our chances here.

 

Ah, the old 4-3-2 switcheroo. They'll never see that one coming.

I would seriously consider resting Pirlo. Not to underestimate CR, but looking at the group situation and other factors, I would slot Marchisio in for Pirlo (a role which he has deputized well for Juve) in the triumvirate and play Cassano and Cerci either side of Balotelli. That moves the fulcrum of creativity upfield while providing more motors in midfield for tracking of CR's dynamic attacking players so the CBs don't get run at one on one... the main thing that needs to be avoided. It will keep CR on the back foot and hopefully yield an early cushion of goals. Then Cassano can come out for Parolo relatively early in the match. Motta (I know, I know) could come in for Marchisio when it's time to kill the game, to give him some rest as well. And repeat the Immobile for Balo swap, let Immobile have more time to find his feet. On the other hand, if it doesn't work and Italy finds themselves behind or not clicking, you can always bring Pirlo in, along with Insigne or Candreva or both.

 

those are 10. need one more name.

 

I think you will see virtually the same lineup but with Chiellini at CB and De Sciglio at LB hopefully. Those two changed alone make that defense instantly better. Like, actually a lot better. It also helps that attack tremendously because Chiellini was absolutely horrible going forward.

I think other then they you stick with the 4-1-4-1. Italy should not have to work nearly as hard against Costa Rica as they did against England... I think Prandelli's strategy is to dominate possession and wear out his opponents. That happened in the first match against a younger England side... They were struggling from the 70th minute on.

You will see the same strategy against Costa Rica, only perhaps he goes with a little more creativity up top than he did against England. There's no way that I would go with a three man midfield line and allow Pirlo/De Rossi to work as hard as they would have to. Italy needs to protect them while doing the best they can to get the win... The 4-1-4-1 will do that.

The dream is to beat Costa Rica and have a draw in the other match. That would likely allow Italy to rest players against Uraguay. Resting players in the second match is not really an option.

 

Marchisio or Candreva

 

Is there some rule about naming your line-up the day before? The Uru-Eng match is the day before and would effect the situation. I too would like to see a more hard-working midfield against Costa Rica, just to be safe.

 

Costa Rica played with a back 3 against Uruguay. Something the Italians will be very familiar with.

 

Sirigu
Darmian Barzagli Chiellini De Sciglio
De Rossi Pirlo Marchisio
Candreva
Balotelli Cassano

We will need Cassano's creativity to breakdown Costa Rica.