Can Italy Replicate Success Of '06/'82 Sides?

Hot Topic: Can the Italian National Team replicate the success of the 1982 & 2006 Italian sides that went on to win trophies after being hit by domestic scandals prior to tournaments? This year, betting scandals resulted in the exclusion of starting left back Domenico Criscito, as well as the ongoing investigations on other players, such as Leo Bonucci and Gigi Buffon

For this question, we will be joined by Francesco, formerly of the Italy Offside, and now found on twitter at @Francescalcio

Francesco (Francescalcio)

Italy hit by a scandal? That news wasn't surprising. In fact, many thought it was a good thing that this terrible Calcioscommesse scandal hit the peninsula. The last times scandal hit the nation, Italy won the tournaments (1982, 2006). Italy could use this scandal as motivation again and try to prove to the world that Italy is not just a nation of controversy, they can play football too. This Azzurri side reminds me of the Euro 2000 side. Yes, the Euro 2000 side was ten times more talented than this squad, but the inconsistent results leading up to the tournament and the low expectations are the same. That Euro 2000 side also had a young star wanting to explode (Totti) just like this squad has Balotelli. Is this the most talented Azzurri side of all time? Of course not. However Cesare Prandelli is a bright manager and if the squad can play as a united group there is enough talent and quality to go very far in Euro 2012. 

I think the Spain match will play a big part in deciding how far Italy can go. If they can get a positive result, the enthusiasm and motivation can take the side far. A bad result however could bring lots of bad media pressure and low morale, leading to poor performances in the last two group games. I'm not worried about the defense, as Daniele De Rossi can more than hold his own as a central defender. In fact, De Rossi as a central defender could be a positive, as he is excellent as long passes, and he could start attacks from the back. With all the Juventus players having the best seasons of their career, that can only help the Azzurri. Up front, the Balotelli-Cassano duo has the potential to be the most lethal at the tournament if both players are on their game. And finally, while Italy's bench doesn't look to be the best in the tournament, they have some lesser known players like Diamanti and Giaccherini who can come in and change a game with one play, as well as experience in Antonio Di Natale who may decide to finally replicate his Udinese form with the Nazionale kit on. Whatever the result, it should be a very interesting Euro 2012 for Italy.

Matteo Bonetti

Another tournament, another scandal. Italian players are clearly not sneaky enough with their sinister actions - as it seems the Serie A is the only league that catches their players betting illegally. The Italian National team is one that dominated in the group stages, but is now posing plenty of question marks as Coach Cesare Prandelli has to tinker with his formation after being embarrassed by Russia in last weeks 3-0 defeat. The 4-3-3 that was used then clearly was not the apt formation for a defensive line that mostly flourishes in a 3-5-2 formation. Maggio has the defensive properties of a tulip petal, and Leo Bonucci was exposed at the back. After Barzagli's injury, Prandelli is now forced to thrust Daniele De Rossi in the 3 man back line against Spain. However, what separates this team from the one in 2006 is lack of experience, particularly up front. Although some of the stalwarts from 2006 remain, such as Pirlo and Buffon, the attacking duo of Cassano & Balotelli is as mercurial as any. 

Needless to say, the 2006 side had a bit of luck to even get the the semifinals against Germany, when they previously faced the mediocre pairing of Ukraine and Australia. Lady luck will need to be on this current team as well. If there's any good news, it's that Italy is a side that has notoriously under performed against minnows, and shown up in the important matches against well respected sides. Need I remind you the last friendly match Italy & Spain had together, when the Azzurri came out of the gates looking more like Barcelona than the usual catenaccio-like sides of the past. Even if Italy bow out of the competition prematurely, this is a side that has little expectations compared to some of the other flavor of the month sides (Germany), and could really appreciate their roles as underdogs. Expect a pleasant surprise against Spain, and one of the most aesthetically pleasing Azzurri sides of the past decade.

Final Verdict: Second in group. Semifinals of Euro.