Euro 2012 Preview:
Group C, the Group of Debt
Group C has taken on the moniker of the Group of Debt due to
its members being affected by the economic downturn and effects of harsh
austerity measures on their populations.
With the economy in turmoil, it is no wonder that so many in these
countries have turned their attention to football as an escape from political
rallies, riots, and the harsh realities of everyday life. With added pressure of having the hopes of
their downtrodden nations, these teams will be eager to achieve glory in
Poland/Ukraine.
Croatia:
Croatia comes into Euro 2012 as heavy underdogs. They will be playing in a difficult group in
their manager Slaven Bilic’s final tournament with the squad before leaving to
join Lokomotiv Moscow. Bilic’s decade of
stewardship has seen qualification for three consecutive European Championships,
and they will be fortunate to repeat their 5th place performance
from 2008. Bilic views the underdog
label as something that can galvanize his squad and looks forward to the
challenge of playing the defending World Cup and Euro champions, Spain.
Bilic’s squad boasts a number of experienced veterans to go
along with attacking creativity and efficiency.
Captain Darijo Srna is likely to feature in a right midfield role rather
than his traditional right back role with Shakhtar Donetsk. Srna is equally capable at both positions,
with the ability to move up the flank in counter attacking opportunities and
composed enough to direct attacks in the opposing half. Srna claims that the squad will be able to
play up to their opponent’s high standards, but the squad has not played a top
ranked team in the past 12 months.
Croatia will likely field a 4-4-2 for the matches against
Italy and Spain, but is also capable of sending out a 4-5-1, employing Everton’s
Nikica Jelavic up front as the lone striker.
The 4-5-1 formation allows the Croatian midfield to play a more
expansive passing game while Jelavic’s deft finishing makes him a threat
anywhere in the opposing half. In a 4-4-2, Jelavic will be paired either with
Bayern’s Ivica Olic or Eduardo.
The midfield is led by creative genius Luka Modric, whose
expansive passing and vision has created problems for top European defenders
for several years now. Modric is joined
in the midfield by his Tottenham teammate Niko Kranjcar to go along with winger
Mario Mandzukic. Defense must be
considered the weakest area of the team, with long-serving top choice defender
Josip Simunic lacking the pace to keep up with speedy Italian and Spanish
attackers. Domagoj Vida is a young
defender capable of playing in either the right or center back role, and could
garner attention from top clubs with good performances in the tournament.
Croatia’s opening match against Ireland could very well be
the squad’s only opportunity for a victory at Euro 2012, but if the squad is
capable of playing up their underdog moniker could cause problems for Italy and
Spain. Qualification for the knockout
stages is an unreasonable expectation, but the Croatians will certainly not
back down from the challenge.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stipe
Pletikosa (FC Rostov), Ivan Kelava (Dinamo Zagreb), Danijel Subasic (AS Monaco)
Defenders: Jurica
Bulijat (Maccabi Haifa), Vedran Corluka (Tottenham Hotspur), Danijel Pranjic
(Bayern Munchen), Gordon Schidenfeld (Eintracht Frankfurt), Josip Simunic
(Dinamo Zagreb), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro
Dnipropetrovsk), Domagoj Vida (Dinamo Zagreb)
Midfielders: Milan
Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb), Tomislav Dujmovic (Dinamo Moskva), Ivo Ilicevic
(Hamburger SV), Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham Hotspur), Luka Modric (Tottenham
Hotspur), Ivan Perisic (Borussia Dortmund), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen
Vukojevic (Dynamo Kyiv)
Forwards: Eduardo
(Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Mario Mandzukic (Wolfsburg),
Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg)
Italy:
Italy has undergone a transformation under the leadership of
manager Cesare Prandelli. Rather than
stick to the traditional Italian tactic of a rigid defensive back line,
Prandelli has introduced a possession oriented style in the same vein as Group
C members Spain. The new style of play
has works thus far, with Italy finishing at the top of their qualifying group
undefeated, and enjoying more possession in the qualifying campaign than any
other squad but the Spaniards.
Prandelli’s preferred 4-3-2-1 formation, gives them the defensive
security necessary with Thiago Motta and Daniele Di Rossi playing in holding
roles that allow the legendary Andrea Pirlo to play his inventive string pulling
role. Claudio Marchisio can also be
employed in a holding role, while Antonio Nocerino offers a dangerous
playmaking skill set that can be paired with Pirlo.
The Italian squad is captained by their goalkeeper, national
treasure Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon is
coming off a title winning Serie A campaign with Juventus and he brings along a
trio of Juventus defenders (Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini) that aim to keep
the Italian keeper’s sure hands from being tested. The formidable defense that conceded only two
goals in their qualifying campaign features two newer additions to the squad
with left back Balzaretti and right back Abate.
It will be up to these new additions to fill the gaps left by legends
Fabio Cannavarro and Alessandro Nesta.
If there is a weak area of this Italian squad it would have
to be their forwards. With Antonio
Cassano’s fitness coming into question, Prandelli may have to deploy all-action
Super Mario Balotelli. Balotelli has
caused controversy already for Euro 2012 after saying he would walk off the
pitch if he came under racist abuse from fans.
Despite his penchant for mischievous behavior, Balotelli is one of the
most exciting young players at the tournament and will have his first chance to
prove his worth to the Italian fans at major tournament next week. The veteran Antonio Di Natale provides a more
experienced option of front should the Italian side require his influence on a
match.
Italy has a difficult first match against Spain, but after
that should be able to handle both Ireland and Croatia to reach the knockout
stages. Once there, their solid back
line and the safe hands of Buffon will be difficult for any opposition to break
down. I expect a run into the late
stages of the tournament, provided the squad remains as disciplined and
opportunistic as they were in qualifying.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi
Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris
Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Ignazio
Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus),
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio
(Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
Midfielders: Daniele
De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamante (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini
(Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina),
Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Antionio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo
(Juventus)
Forwards: Mario
Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC
Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma)
Republic of Ireland:
Former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni and the Ireland
squad have recovered well after being cheated out of a World Cup 2010 birth
after Thierry Henry’s notorious handball.
Their qualifying campaign concluded with a 5-1 win on aggregate over
Estonia, making it their first qualification for a major tournament since the
2002 World Cup. Trapattoni has endeared
himself to the Irish fans by producing results with his rigid tactics, and his
press conferences in broken English are simply delightful.
Trapattoni’s rigid 4-4-2 has been instituted since his first
match as Ireland manager, and it is a familiar sight to any fans following
Trap. The inflexibility allows each player
to know their expected role in the squad and their defensive tactics will be no
surprise to opposition. Ireland will
look to keep a clean sheet in every match, demanding top performances from
goalkeeper Shay Given and his defense.
That defense will be without Wolves defender Kevin Foley,
who was passed up in favor of the more versatile Paul McShane. Richard Dunne and John O’Shea will be the two
main centerbacks in Trapattoni’s formation, with Darren O’Dea at left back and
Fulham’s Stephen Kelly on the right. The
defensive line will be well drilled and prepared for anything Spain and Italy
can throw at them, but it will be a question of how long the Irish can withstand
the assault from the football giants.
The Irish midfield is lacking a creative influence, with the
central midfield roles being held by Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews. Darron Gibson and James McClean were at the
center of controversial declarations to play for Republic of Ireland, despite
being born in Derry (Northern Ireland).
McClean, a winger, was given a spot in the squad after an impressive
Premier League campaign for Sunderland.
Captain Robbie Keane will lead from his role as striker, he
has been an inspiration, scoring seven goals during Ireland’s qualifying
efforts. Kevin Doyle serves as the
target man in the Irish attack, while the crafty Aiden McGeady will join in the
attack from the left side. Shane Long
can provide pace in the attack, which is something Ireland lacks overall.
If they are able to produce a win against Croatia and the
defense remains solid against Spain and Italy, Ireland will still have a lot of
work to do to qualify for the quarter finals.
Three losses are the predicted results for the Irish squad, and any
results they earn will be a credit to the management of Trapattoni and the
determination and grit of the Irish players.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Shay
Given (Aston Villa), Kieran Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall)
Defenders: John O’Shea
(Sunderland), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton
Wanderers), Sean St. Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Stephen
Kelly (Fulham), Paul McShane (Hull City)
Midfielders: Glenn
Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion), Aiden McGeady
(Spartak Moskva), Darron Gibson (Everton), Paul Green (unattached), Damien Duff
(Fulham), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McClean (Sunderland)
Forwards: Robbie
Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Long (West
Bromwich Albion), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Simon Cox (West Bromwich
Albion)
Spain:
The reigning World Cup and Euro champions come into Euro
2012 as heavy favorites. Eight
consecutive wins in qualification earned the Spaniards their berth in Euro
2012, and they have conceded only a single goal thus far in 2012. Vicente del Bosque’s squad is aiming to
become the first squad to win three consecutive major tournaments, and they are
hoping to perform with style and aplomb that has made the Spaniards the envy of
the footballing world.
What is already considered to be a Golden Generation for
Spain is led by their keeper Iker Casillas.
At the age of 31, Casillas is one of the most decorated players of this
era. Possessing lighting quick reflexes,
on field leadership, and the respect of the entire footballing world, Casillas
has rarely turned in a poor performance during his 12 years with the national
squad. It will be up to Casillas to lead
the squad that will be missing its other defensive stalwart Carles Puyol. Puyol will be capably replaced by his
Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique, while Raul Albiol or Sergio Ramos will likely
be next to him at the other center back position. A combination of Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos,
and Alvaro Arbeloa will play in the full back roles.
The Spanish midfield has been the envy of the entire world
over the last 4 years, led by passing machine Xavi. Xavi’s inventive, expansive passing game will
be joined by Barcelona teammates Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Iniesta. David Silva’s creative genius will be on
display throughout the tournament to join the efficient and effective Xabi
Alonso in midfield. Whether Del Bosque
chooses to play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 will make little difference to their
tactics, Spain hopes to pass all of their opponents into submission.
The absence of striker David Villa means that the forward
role is one of the few in question for the Spanish squad. Fernando Torres has struggled to regain form
for Chelsea, while his teammate Juan Mata has excelled in the Premier
League. If neither of them is able to
perform, Barcelona’s Pedro offers another attacking option, but Del Bosque may
prefer the precise finishing of Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Negredo.
With so many attacking options, this is
surely only a perceived weakness for the Spanish squad.
With so much talent and experience at their disposal, Spain
is the tournament favorite for a reason.
Expect the Spaniards and their expert passing displays to easily progress
through the group stages. They could run
into some trouble against squads that decide to park the bus, but with all
their quality it would take a tremendous performance to oust the defending
champions.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker
Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Defenders: Sergio
Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Alvaro
Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Athletico Madrid), Javi
Martinez (Athletic Club)
Midfielders: Xavi
Hernandez (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid),
David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Jesus Navas (Sevilla),
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Forwards: Fernando
Llorente (Athletic Club), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro
Rodriguez (Barcelona), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)
Predictions:
While Croatia and Ireland have been eager to embrace their
status as underdogs, it is unlikely that either will emerge from this
group. Italy and Spain simply have too
much quality for the significantly less talented squads and the opening matchup
between the European rivals should be a joy to watch.
Back tomorrow with
the final installment, Group D.