By Diego Maradona
The European Championship has gotten off
to an explosive start with striker Lewandowski scoring the first goal for Poland, only to see the Greeks battle back to a well deserved draw, and Tsar Arshavin leading Russia to a devastating 4-1 victory over the hapless Czech team. The combination of cool weather and wet perfect pitches should show us some spectacular football in the days to come.
One of the most anticipated games in Group C features World and European defending champions Spain versus the Italian ‘Azzurri’ led by the veteran genius Andrea Pirlo.
Coach Prandelli is well aware of the calibre of opposition he is facing as he takes on the Spanish world superheroes.
Italy has lost its last two friendly games to the United States and Russia, and so must modify its defense to deal with Xavi, Iniesta and friends.
The veteran Gigi Buffon will guard the Italian goalposts, but in defense Prandelli is struggling with injured Juve captain Chiellini at left back, Bonucci will be playing right back, and Roman midfielder De Rossi might actually have to play center-back. In midfield, Italy features Napoli’s Maggio on the right, Pirlo in the middle, Giaccherini on the left. Juve’s Marchisio and PSG naturalized Brasilian Thiago Motta, to pressure the opposing midfielders.
Up front Italy has bad boy Mario Balotelli of Man City and brilliant but erratic Cassano. The Italian bench is quite good as well with talented striker Di Natale available if necessary. The Italians lack consistency in the defense, and cohesion up front. Their strength is their midfield where Andrea Pirlo can create magic at any time.
To compliment Spain is obvious at this point. Their players have won everything for club and country. Coach Vicente Del Bosque has to replace captain Pujol, out with injury, and striker David Villa. He will feature Casillas in goal, Sergio Ramos in the center with Pique, and Jordi Alba at left back. The best midfield in the world will feature Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva, and Busquets. Up front Cesc Fabregas and Llorente of Bilbao will team up for devastating effect.
On the bench Spain also has the luxury of Mata, Torres, and Pedro. The Spanish dominate by playing a Brasilian style one touch football and constantly moving without the ball to create space and openings.
It’s the Barcelona style transplanted to the national team. The Italians must try to contain their ball possession with their own midfield and hope that the Pirlo-Balotelli combination will give Italy a goal at some point. The Spanish are heavily favoured, but so was Argentina when I played the Azzurri at the World Cup in 1982 and we lost, so never count the Italians out.
Ireland, led by colourful coach Trapattoni at 73 years young, will play Croatia in the other match of group C. Both teams are expected to come 3rd and 4th to Italy and Spain, but a win in this game could actually help their chances to qualify. Trappattoni knows that he has one good weapon in striker Robbie Keane now playing at LA Galaxy. He also can count on veteran goalkeeper Shay Given, and veteran defender Richard Dunne as his rocks. Trapattoni is the master of the tight defense and long counter-attack, so look for frenetic pace by the Irish combined by counter-strokes to Robbie Keane up front.
Look for the old wolf Trap to place Given in goal, O’Shea, Dunne, Ledger and Ward on the back line. In midfield, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews and quick Damien Duff. Up front, Keane and Kevin Doyle will try to win the match for the lucky Irish.
Croatia is a solid team that relies on the brilliant play of the little Mozart, Luca Modric of Tottenham Hotspurs. If he is on his game he can destroy any team like Arshavin did for Russia. Coach Slaven Bilic has been mercilessly attacked by his media, but has managed to bring the team to Euro 2012. He loses his veteran striker Olic due to injury, but can sill field Mandzukic and Jelavic up front. In midfield he will bring in Dujmovic and Vukojevic with Srna and Rakitic of Seville on the flanks.
Veteran goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa leads the defense, with solid players Corluka of Spurs on the right, Vida and Simunic in the middle and Bayerns Pranjic, on left back.
Potentially and on paper the Croatians have an edge on the Irish, but Trapattoni is a wiley coach and he might devise a way to pull off an upset in this game to get 3 points.
However, if Luca Modric is in form Croatia should take the 3 points.