Brazil-Italy Preview

Brazil v. Italy

June 21, 2:30 P.M. Eastern
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa

The last time these two nations played was back in February with Brazil winning a friendly in a convincing 2-0 victory. Brazil is coming off a much improved performance against the United States. Italy was the latest team to find out how underrated the Egyptians are, losing 1-0 on Thursday.

As a result of their lost to Egypt, the Italians need to beat Brazil by a two goal margin, and the Egyptians need to beat the Americans by a three goal margin for Brazil not to qualify for the next round.

Since the Italians are going to be pressing forward, room should be open for the world’s most famous counterattack. Being forced to play an open match is something the Italians will struggle with and if our defense can replicate their performance against the United States, Brazil will have a chance to bury the Italians.

The weak link in this Italian side is undoubtedly its defense. Although coach Marcelo Lippi has started to integrate younger players into his plans, it has been a slow process, and the defense is not much changed from 2006. Maicon and Ramires should be running wild on Italian left back Fabio Grosso. Fabio Cannavaro’s play has declined dramatically and he should be exploitable in the center. Look for Kaka and Ramires to get on the score sheet tomorrow.

Rosters:

Italy:

Goalkeepers: Amelia (Palermo), Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Galatasaray).

Defenders: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Lione), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).

Forwards: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Pepe (Udinese), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal), Toni (Bayern Monaco).

Brazil:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians)

Midfielders: Kleberson (Flamengo), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City)

Projected Starting XI: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Miranda, Lucio, Andre Santos, Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Ramires, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano

Prediction: Brazil 2 – 1 Italy