Weakened by injury and chastened by the memory of a crushing loss to the same opponents 12 months ago, Italy have vowed to use their imagination when they meet Spain in Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi final. The match at Fortaleza’s Estadio Castelao is a repeat of last year’s Euro 2012 final, when
Spain cruised to a 4-0 win to claim an unprecedented third consecutive major international title.
Having swept through the group phase at the Confederations Cup with three consecutive wins, the world and European champions were the favourites to advance to the final even before Italy’s injury problems struck.
Right-back Ignazio Abate and key striker Mario Balotelli have both been ruled out of the tournament, although midfielders Riccardo Montolivo and Andrea Pirlo are both expected to feature against Spain. Pirlo missed Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Brazil with a calf injury, while Montolivo took a blow to the head in the same game, but both players have since resumed training.
Balotelli’s early departure from the tournament with a thigh injury is a heavy blow, the AC Milan striker having emerged in the last 12 months as coach Cesare Prandelli’s most important attacking player. Experienced Bologna striker Alberto Gilardino is in line to deputise. In the expectation that Spain will dominate possession as they habitually do, Prandelli has stated that Italy may have to do ‘something innovative’ tactically.
Italian media reports suggest the former Fiorentina manager will deploy a compact 3-5-2 formation, with an all-Juventus back three of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli. Spain defender Sergio Ramos says it does not necessarily follow that Thursday’s game will produce Spain’s dominance. ‘We’ve practically kept the same style of play and the same players, and so have they, so they’re fairly similar to us in that respect. Italy have a very strong competitive mentality and have always shown that.’