Cesare Prandelli confirms Italy’s starting XI to play Republic of Ireland and reflected on the difficulty he faces in naming a final 23 for the World Cup.
Cesare Prandelli confirms Italy’s starting XI to play Republic of Ireland and reflected on the difficulty he faces in naming a final 23 for the World Cup.
Indications from the Azzurri’s final training session this week at Coverciano on Friday morning were that Marco Verratti, Giuseppe Rossi and Ciro Immobile would be in line for starting berths in Saturday evening’s World Cup warm-up fixture at Craven Cottage and it has now been confirmed by the CT.
“We will start with Sirigu, Darmian, Paletta, Bonucci, Thiago Motta, Verratti, Montolivo, Marchisio, Giuseppe Rossi and Immobile,” Prandelli has told reporters at today’s Press conference, ahead of Italy flying out to London.
“It is not an experimental game, but one where we will analyse what we can do on the field, the players will be evaluated for understanding their recovery after the game.
“In principle, when we return from London and after training on June 1 we will give you the 23. The important thing is not to make mistakes.
“Obviously I do not want to affect the players, they know what kind of game tomorrow’s is.”
Prandelli was asked about cutting the current provisional selection down to 23 to take out to Brazil.
“It is the most difficult aspect of my role but I do not have to bluff. Here are the 30 best I could have selected.
“I have seven attackers and I must choose five. Whoever does not leave for Brazil will not be a failure, but it will be a tactical choice.
“I will work on the basis of the attitude that we want to take to the field. This is a group of guys who are more or less on the same level, they are all ready and prepared.
“They have all worked with the utmost dedication and maximum effort.
“It will be difficult because the guys have all made sacrifices and dream of going to the World Cup. It will be difficult when I have to announce my choices.”
Marco Verratti has been reported in recent days as having seen his chances of beating out Marco Parolo and Alberto Aquilani for a place in the final squad improve.
“At this time we want to place players with special qualities in a position where they can express them.
“Tomorrow we will see how Marco does on the field in that position [rumoured to be trequartista].”