Confident Prandelli happy to start World Cup under the radar

By Alberto Cagliano

Being unused to starting in pole position, a good many Italian fans share the optimism of coach Cesare Prandelli despite the poor showings preceding the departure for the World Cup Brazil.

A scoreless draw with Ireland and a 1-1 draw with Luxembourg, on Saturday and Wednesday, did not trouble the coach, who said he is convinced that the Azzurri will improve when things get serious.

Many fans are inclined to trust him as they recall how La Nazionale set off amidst open pessimism in their previous two triumphs in 1982 and 2006.

The toughest opponents Italy can meet this year are Brazil, Spain, Germany, and Argentina, Prandelli told dpa in early May ahead of the Azzurri's departure for their camp in Managratiba, 100 kilometres from Rio De Janeiro.

Germany have never beaten the Azzurri at a major tournament, who in 2006 beat them 2-0 in the semi-finals before going on to lift the trophy.

The Germans crashed again to Italy, 2-1, in the semis at Euro 2012 though on this occasion Italy were then hammered 4-0 by Spain in the final.

Prandelli's admiration for Germany is great, however, and he warned that "it does not always go well. I know we have not lost to Germany in a long time, but there is always a first time and I would not like to be the one (who loses against them).

"Germany have unbending mentality, firm determination, as Germans are, but they also have the imagination of the new Germans, those who were born in Germany but have Turkish or other origins," he said.

"They brought some inventiveness and a different way to interpret games. So they are very solid and in recent years a lot of players have got used to winning. In the Champions League many teams are Germans."

Last month's triumph of Real Madrid in the continental tournament - in a final with crosstown with Atletico Madrid - confirmed the strength of Spanish football after the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

"Spain have always had a great strength: their game," Prandelli said. "It is now four years that they win. Their strength is to have maintained their identity."

Prandelli also expects much from Argentina, a team with "incredible technical skills, but also a great South American temperament. They never give up. They are clever in getting back lost balls, but when they hold it they display great technic and imagination."

The coach compared the Argentine squad to Uruguay, Italy's last opponents in Group D after a June 14 opener against England and a second game to Costa Rica.

Prandelli said that all the teams in the group are dangerous and also spoke of the Brazilian heat and of the first game in Manaus, in the heart of Amazonia.

"We are curious about it, but there is also a particular fascination, because only a few teams can say to have played a World Cup in Manaus," he said. "I think it is a fascinating challenge. There will be difficulties, but we must be ready when we get there."

Being used to the environment could be an advantage for hosts Brazil, but Prandelli also sees many impressive qualities in the five-time world champions.

"Brazil are strong because they match technical qualities with physical qualities," he said. "The players of Brazil are physically strong. Technically, they have always been marvellous and now they also have speed.

"In my opinion they are very well organized, also because all their defenders play in Europe, so they have the right experience to give equilibrium (to the squad). They defend well and with order."

Asked to choose three possible stars of the tournament, Prandelli said: "Cristiano Ronaldo, because he took Portugal to the finals, (Argentine Lionel) Messi, and then I hope the third can be an Italian."

The Azzurri fans hope to see Mario Balotelli finally leave his mark in a major event, but there is confidence also in Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile, who recently sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund.

As the World Cup fever rises, Prandelli declined to set a minimum goal for his squad.

"I am used to thinking positive," he said. "I think about what a success it could be, but I cannot think about a disaster. If it should happen, we would think about it, but first I think positively."

dpa