Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli analysed the Azzurri’s decisive Euro 2024 duel with Croatia, explaining why a ‘exact technical plan’ might make the distinction.
Luciano Spalletti’s facet at present sit second in Group B with three factors, three behind Spain and two forward of each Albania and Croatia. A optimistic consequence of their remaining match of this stage could be sufficient to take the group to the Spherical of 16.
Italy confirmed some positives of their opening sport in opposition to Albania however did not impress within the loss to Spain, inflicting doubts amongst followers because the conflict with Croatia approaches. Some modifications are anticipated within the Azzurri setup, which might assist shake issues up.
The Azzurri would be capable to progress to the knockout levels of the European Championship with a third-place end within the group, however it could arrange a more durable match within the Spherical of 16, making their remaining sport crucially essential for his or her hopes of progressing additional into the match.
Prandelli analyses Croatia vs Italy
Writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, Prandelli analysed Italy’s upcoming conflict with Croatia, explaining what’s wanted and giving some parallels to the previous.
“My Italy – Croatia match on the 2012 European Championship got here on the second day of the group, however the sense of a key match was the identical. With Eire the weak hyperlink, us and the Croatians would most likely play for second place behind Spain.
“It was a hard-fought sport, us taking the lead by Andrea Pirlo within the first half, them equalising with Mandzukic on the finish.
“In idea, Italy’s state of affairs is extra sophisticated. It’s true that we now have two outcomes out of three at our disposal however, whether or not you prefer it or not, your ideas all the time run to the worst-case state of affairs. And so, you must be good, like Luciano, at conveying solely optimistic emotions.
“Gigi Buffon will assist the coach along with his character and expertise. You mustn’t talk any ‘buts’ to the fellows. You need to give the notice of the issue but additionally psychological and technical-tactical confidence.
“A joke, a pat on the again on the proper second, a glance, some encouragement, all the pieces is beneficial. And, in fact, the meticulous preparation of sport conditions. Clear concepts, not quite a lot of them, however no gray areas. The fellows should know what to do and what to not do.
“A exact technical plan lowers the strain, which can inevitably be very excessive. That was a youthful, extra bodily Croatia. We had ready filtering passes to beat their urgent, forcing Modric to drop again or a central defender to return out.
“We additionally didn’t must defend within the space, if doable, however arise a bit. Lastly, the plan was to remove the Croatian forwards’ calmness, our defenders needed to transfer on a regular basis, even just a bit, making the forwards worry that they might find yourself offside.
“In comparison with that match, there is a crucial distinction: this Croatia run much less however are extra skilled and can attempt to put the sport on their rhythms, on their dribbling. This is able to put us in issue as a result of they’re very technical.
“Italy should due to this fact set a special technique, elevating the tempo, urgent, a bit like Albania did within the first match, however they’ve much less total high quality. Urgent, even at the price of risking one thing on the again, however forcing them to sweat and run.
“If the sport slows down, they’ve the benefit. They’ve lengthy been rumoured to be completed, however on the World Cup they reached the semi-finals, within the Nations League they misplaced within the remaining to Spain, briefly, the Croatians all the time have the important thing to survival.
“There’s quite a lot of discuss Modric, who has performed little as a starter in Actual Madrid, alternating with Kroos, and nearly by no means a full sport. However Croatia are usually not Actual Madrid. This nationwide group was born with him, and the cycle will finish when he says sufficient.
“His teammates know this and multiply their energies and sacrifices, sparing him an excessive amount of effort, as a result of they know that with him beside them, they’re by no means alone, there may be all the time an outlet, some assist, an concept.
“Brozovic and Perisic, two key gamers, are additionally in query, and their bodily situation isn’t optimum, however they’ll all the time invent the important thing transfer that modifications the sport. We can’t underestimate them. Nevertheless, in case you enhance the depth they’ll wrestle to chase you. Luciano is aware of that.
“One factor that may assist us is the truth that this Italy has the spirit of their coach, they’re not used to defending, they don’t settle for the draw if not compelled.
“Maybe, unconsciously, in opposition to Spain they thought concerning the equaliser and paid for it. With Croatia they gained’t make this error, Italy gained’t lose Spalletti’s soul.
“I’ve some perplexity, objectively, on the tactical stage as a result of the 3-2-4-1 is a system that wants time to be assimilated. The one who paid essentially the most was Di Lorenzo, who had issue taking part in as a 3rd defender, with out the reference of the lateral line for marking, diagonals and extra.
“He usually discovered himself in an area that wasn’t his personal. However Luciano sees his group each day and, I guarantee you, there’s no coach who doesn’t area his greatest.
“He’ll consider if Barella shall be extra helpful to provide depth, if Fagioli’s vertical visions shall be helpful, if Retegui’s concreteness shall be higher or Scamacca’s method, however he has to know one factor, he’s the centre ahead of this group and he can’t all the time assume that we are able to go dribbling.
“We additionally want a quantity 9 who retains the ball, will get the group up and doesn’t instantly search for the assist. This isn’t a match like another and we want everybody to play, not simply these on the pitch, however the Italy delegation, in order that these taking part in in Leipzig tomorrow by no means really feel alone.”
