Estonia 1-2 Italy: a decent start for Prandelli
The starting line-ups
Italy fell behind and looked to be struggling for goals, but Estonia’s awful marking from set-pieces came to their aid.
Tarmo Ruttli chose an experienced XI, in a broad 4-4-1-1 formation, with Konstantin Vassiljev playing just behind the pacey Sergei Zenjov.
Cesare Prandelli set his side out in a 4-3-3, with Simone Pepe keeping wide on the right, and Antonio Cassano just off Giampaolo Pazzini to the left, a combination that works well at club level.
The first thing to note about Italy was that their passing was much better than at the World Cup. It was quicker, brighter, and more intricate – not quite tiki-taka, but neat and tidy. The use of both Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montolivo (rarely, if ever, were those two used together under Marcello Lippi) was the main reason for the increased focus upon ball retention, with Daniele de Rossi a reasonably good passer too.
Those three played as fluid trio rather than having one permanently ahead or behind the other two, with Pirlo generally in the centre, where he dictated the play more than any other player.
Estonia play direct
In contrast, Estonia wanted to get the ball forward quickly and directly. Zenjov did a good job upfront – his pace caused Giorgio Chiellini problems when the ball was played into the channels, but he also did a reasonable job in the air against the Juventus centre-back – the best attempt on goal at 0-0 was when Zenjov headed it down for a good Vassiljev blast from the edge of the area.
Another key factor in Italy’s tactics was how far forward the full-backs were for much of the game. In South Africa, Domenico Crsicito and Gianluca Zambrotta were disappointingly reserved, but in this game, Mattia Cassani and (in particular) Cristian Molinaro got into the final third frequently – it worked better on the left, where Cassano drifted inside and Molinaro got forward on the overlap. In truth, Molinaro lacked the technical quality to really make a difference in attacking zones, but the very idea of him getting to the byline was a plus for Italy. This was helped by Estonia playing narrow in midfield, trying to compensate for the 3 v2 advantage Italy had in the centre of midfield.
Estonia ahead at half-time
But the pre-World Cup problem with creativity wasn’t overcome, despite the popular addition of Cassano. He wasn’t involved in much build-up play in the first half, as he was closely marked by Enar Jaager. On the other side Simone Pepe was very disappointing.
Estonia took the lead in strange circumstances. Vassiljev lined up a free-kick fully 40 yards from goal, with the clear intention to strike it at goal. Italy didn’t set up a wall – in fact, Montolivo actually backed away as Vassiljev started his run-up. The shot was direct at Salvatore Sirigu, but he dropped the ball at the feet of Zenjov, who easily converted.
It’s not Prandelli’s way to make sweeping half-time tactical changes, so it was no surprise to see the same XI emerge for the second half. In truth, it was much of the same from Italy – they kept the ball well and dominated possession, but there was little to get excited about in the penalty area. Cassano and Pazzini didn’t link up as much as Prandelli would have hoped, and Pepe was taken off for Fabio Quagliarella.
Estonia could have gone 2-0 up when Sander Puri clipped the top of the bar from the edge of the area. The poor challenge from Pirlo maybe summed up that he needs a dedicated holding player alongside him, with de Rossi playing a more forward-thinking role.
Italy hit back
Estonia lost the game almost exclusively because of their inability to defend set-pieces. First Cassano was left completely unmarked from a right-wing Pirlo corner (to the point where it’s difficult to understand who was meant to be picking him up), and he headed home. Minutes later from a left-wing Pirlo corner, Puri let Leonardo Bonucci go free and it was 2-1 – again Cassano was involved, with a delicate flick at the near post.
So, despite the different tactics from the two sides – quick, short passing versus long, direct passing – all three goals came from set-pieces.
Conclusion
Prandelli will be encouraged by some factors, but still has question marks throughout the side. The most disappointing thing for him will be that there was no partnership or three-way relationship that looked completely comfortable – with the slight exception of Molinaro-Cassano down the left, which did OK.
The midfield is still an issue – Pirlo and Montolivo are both players who sit and play calmly.
They’re not tacklers, nor are they players who make driving runs at goal. That’s fine, but this then requires De Rossi to do something in both respects, which asks an awful lot of one player. This trio can work, but Prandelli probably needs to shift the formation slightly – perhaps to put Montolivo further forward. There is a suspicion that Prandelli never completely worked out how to use Montolivo at Fiorentina (despite being a huge fan of him) – it will be interesting to see how that relationship develops.
Cassano will probably get another chance, but he didn’t link up well enough with Pazzini. Considering Pazzini and Prandelli haven’t got on too well in the past, he possibly had to make a good first impression. With Pepe also underperforming, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a new-look Italy front three against the Faroe Islands – and that’s a game every attacking player will want to play in.
Estonia 1-2 Italy: a decent start for Prandelli
It’s a strange thing to see Italy having trouble cooking up some creativity against a defence that is made up by Rahn (2nd level in Russia), Piroja (from the 2nd level in Norway, with one of the frequently used defenders not fielded in this match, Bärengrub, not even being a regular in the same league) and Jaager, not exactly taking the Norwegian Tippeliga (top level) by storm.
Not to say they aren’t decent footballers, but you’d think the boys from Serie A would have a pretty easy job.
Some great insight posted. I am a strong supporter of Prandelli and I believe he is an excellent coach who knows how to connect with his players. With this said, Italy’ team is in complete disarray and it will take time. The good thing is that the formation (albeit on paper), looks sound. Prandelli is meddling with players and it will take time to tinker out the details. It’s a consensus that Montolivo is a sensationally-talented player, but he needs a workhorse beside him. If anything, I think he could work well with Cassano as they are both are tricky players in my opinion.
I like the system, much improved over the previous regime.
I do think maybe a different option to Montolivo or even Pirlo should be tried. D’agostino or Palombo come to mind, any other ideas people?
Giuseppe Rossi or Mario Balotelli?
Balotelli was out injured, or else he probably would have gotten a start on the right.
For all the work De Rossi does, sometimes he takes a few steps backwards trying to force things. He rarely ever plays a simple square pass, but tries several cross field or long ball type passes every game.
This was a good writeup for a very poor game. I hope this is ok, but for any fans of Italian football I will be doing a lot of analysis and reviews during the season here: http://www.tacticalbeats.wordpress.com
To say Pepe was disappointing is to understate the case. He looks confused on the field. Why Prandelli would start him is a mystery. He can’t cross well, and he just runs in straight lines. Juventus will regret signing him.
That said, surely Balotelli will come in for him when healthy. Pazzini in front of Balotelli & Cassano should eventually come good, though they’d better sooner than later.
I think Pepe is a winger in similar mould to Kuyt and Park, a useful player to have. But the creativity would have to come from somewhere else.
Pazzini needs another forward at his side to perform well. He never did good in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Similarly, Cassano plays at his best when he’s the second striker, completely free from tactical duties. In other words the Pazzini-Cassano couple has to be used in a 4-4-2.
Too bad Italy doesn’t have good wingers to play such formation. Schelotto could be good in one year or two.
In the midfield, playing those 3 is utopistic. I like them all deeply but Montolivo should transform into a driving midfielder (like Perrotta) to make it a complete midfield.
I dont think there’s much wrong with Prandelli’s system, but some of the personnel could be modified to fit the system more.
Aquilani for Montolivo would be a start, as Alberto has a bit of De Rossi and Pirlo in him, a hard-worker with a delicate touch. Also, Pepe being dropped for the long-term would be ideal. With all due respect to his strict following of instructions, he has no other qualities to merit a place in the starting XI. Bad news is, since Camoranesi, Italy doesn’t seem to have a genuine player who can fill that void on the right, providing both steel and solutions.
I also think that Cassano should be given a more free role. To compensate, Molinaro (although I prefer Criscito) would bomb forward as much as possible, with De Rossi and Aquilani exchanging the duty of covering him. If Molinaro can perfect his crossing, De Rossi would be an aerial threat running from deep, or Aquilani can wait on the outside with his accurate/powerful shooting.
I agree, Italy don’t have wingers for a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1, so 4-3-3 is the best Prandelli can do.
I agree with what most people here are saying – Prandelli seems to be on the right track and making the best with what he’s got, which isn’t much.
I like the idea of this 3-man midfield, but can’t really see it working against stronger teams – Palombo for Montolivo might be a better option.
I also agree that Cassano should play closer to Pazzini, although that leaves quite a bit of distance between midfield and strikers, one that Pepe seems unable to fill – he’s just an awful player in my opinion, I don’t get what anyone sees in him. Unfortunately, Italian football doesn’t really do wingers… although maybe Schelotto will be able to do the job in a few years’ time. Also think Abate might be someone able to play there? If all you’re looking for is discipline and a bit of pace, I don’t see why he couldn’t do as good a job as Pepe.
As it is, our 4-3-3 is awfully narrow, apart from Pepe and the fullbacks there’s no one really comfortable playing a bit wider, which isn’t good for Pazzini because he doesn’t get many crosses.
I thought Cassani looked quite good and would like to see him play again. On the left, I am not a big fan of Molinaro, I’d rather have Antonini, Antonelli or Criscito.
Also have a question – is it just me, or have Italy not scored from open play for ages?
I honestly can’t remember the last time we didn’t score from a corner or penalty. While it’s great to see us scoring from corners – something we NEVER used to do – it’s a really worrying sign…
Same worry here, we only score from set pieces.
Anyway I can see a bright future for Italy on the far right with De Silvestri and Schelotto, then we will have Santon as left back, and apparently Fabbrini is a promising youngster for the left wing.
This is good because I am convinced that football is going to come back to 4-4-2 in a very short time (or a 2-forward formation anyway).