Italy go head-to-head with Brazil tonight and Cesare Prandelli confirms a change of tactics “to find the balance we lacked against Japan.”
Both these sides are already qualified for the Confederations Cup semi-finals, but the Azzurri must win in order to top Group A and therefore avoid Spain in the next round.
Italy go head-to-head with Brazil tonight and Cesare Prandelli confirms a change of tactics “to find the balance we lacked against Japan.”
Both these sides are already qualified for the Confederations Cup semi-finals, but the Azzurri must win in order to top Group A and therefore avoid Spain in the next round.
It kicks off in Salvador at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), but Andrea Pirlo is out with a calf problem and Daniele De Rossi suspended.
“The important thing is to find the balance we lacked against Japan,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
That extraordinary 4-3 victory over Japan on Wednesday night has been called the most entertaining game in the history of the Confederations Cup.
“At this moment we need fresh legs. The difference at this stage is not made with technical gifts, but with physical sharpness.
“The Confederations Cup is a wonderful and important competition, which means we should all have the same time and opportunities to prepare. Instead, many sides – including Italy – had to play a World Cup qualifier in the lead-up.”
Hosts Brazil have already qualified for the semi-final after beating Japan 3-0 and Mexico 2-0 with Neymar shining bright.
“As with all great players, it is unthinkable to resolve the problem with man-marking. We must do well to take away the space and double up on marking, as these are players who are good at the one-on-one.
“I don’t see any big differences between Neymar and Mario Balotelli. It would be interesting to see them together.
“We must try to play with courage and put Brazil under pressure. The objective is to take the initiative and provide a spectacle for the fans. That is the only way we’ll be satisfied,” continued Prandelli.
“I don’t want to think about sitting in our own half for 90 minutes defending. We need courage and proved in Geneva that we can cause problems for Brazil.”
These sides last met in a friendly in Switzerland on March 21, when Balotelli and De Rossi goals saw Italy cancel out Brazil’s 2-0 lead for a final 2-2 draw.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Aquilani, Montolivo, Marchisio; Diamanti, Balotelli, Candreva
Brazil (probable): Julio Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Dante, Marcelo; Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo; Lucas, Oscar, Neymar; Jo