"Italy's unproven" has been the theme surrounding this blog's coverage of Group C, a theme I believe holds up to scrutiny. After all, this is a team that's only won twice in 2010, beating Estonia and the Faroe Islands. While their trip to Belfast on Friday produced a reasonable result (a scoreless draw with Northern Ireland), we remain in this uncertain, are they any good place regarding Italy.
Euro 2012 Qualifying, Group C Preview: Serbia Gives Italy, Cesare Prandelli Chance To Prove Their Quality
That shouldn't last much longer. On Tuesday, the Azzurri should get a greater test, with Serbia going to the Luigi Ferraris for the teams' fourth round match.
That’s one of three Euro 2012 matches on Tuesday’s docket from Group C, though let’s talk about that one last. We need to establish the stakes, play-writes - talk about where the competition’s likely to sit at the end of the day:
Matches:
Faroe Islands versus Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland has positioned themselves to be Italy's replacement, should the Azzurri fail to find their long-lost form. A win at Slovenia and a draw with Italy have the green and white set for seven points, should they dispatch confederation minnows the Faroe Islands.
Still, you wonder if Tuesday's hosts won't have noticed Steven Davis's revolutionary corner kick technique and put a little lead at the end of the flag.
Estonia versus Slovenia - Estonia is the shock second place team after three rounds, winning in Beograd 1-3 on Friday. Slovenia, however, will be a much tougher team to beat, even through the venue moves to Tallinn. Whereas Estonia’s thrived as much on the mistakes of others as their own initiative, Slovenia is known for their lack of mistakes. While they are a limited side talent-wise, Slovenia is well prepared and opportunistic. In short, Estonia may not have enough Northern Irish patience and discipline to replicate that nation’s results.
Italy versus Serbia - Serbia's Dejan Stankovic will have license to control the midfield, with Italy's Daniele de Rossi ruled out. That absence, the numerical advantage of Serbia's four midfielders (against Italy's three), and the visitor's talent make this a dangerous test for an Italy team that's failed to impress. In addition, they'll be facing a wounded Serbia that just lost at home to Estonia. If Serbia can't muster a good effort in this match, they're a lost cause.
Cesare Prandelli will hope Serbia’s desperation exposes an already leaky defense, allowing Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini to give the Azzurri control of Group C.
Picks:
Faroe Islands 0, Northern Ireland 2
Estonia 0, Slovenia 1
Italy 1, Serbia 2
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