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Defense again key to success
Despite less-than-convincing performances in
qualifying, confidence is high in Italy that the Azzurri
will be strong contenders for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
Korea/Japan™ and follow-up on their second-place finish in
the UEFA European Championship 2000.
'La Nazionale' have a strong team with
undoubted ability, but with so many stars to choose from, it
will be vital that technical director Giovanni Trapattoni
picks the right combination. Certainly a key player for the
Azzurri will be Francesco Totti. The Roma maestro was
outstanding last year with his club during their Scudetto-winning
campaign. Trapattoni said that Totti was a visionary leader
"capable of inspiring his side to [FIFA World Cup] victory
next summer." He has the ability to lift the players around
him, and his passing and commitment are second to none.
In attack, Christian Vieri appears to be
Trapattoni's first-choice striker, but the Inter Milan
player is injury prone. Also in the frame are former
Juventus team mates Alessandro Del Piero, Filippo Inzaghi,
and even possibly the resurgent Roberto Baggio.
A key ingredient in Italy's hopes for the
FIFA World Cup is their defensive pedigree. Stinginess is a
typical Italian trait on the pitch, and their performance to
reach the final of the European Championship and in the
qualifiers - they allowed just three goals in eight matches
-mean that Italian resolve is as strong as ever.
One of the main reasons for this in recent
years has been the play of defender Paolo Maldini, Italy's
most capped player, who will be retiring after the finals.
The 33-year-old has been one of the most consistent
performers for Italy over the last ten years, and his
displays for Milan and Italy have shown that he has been one
of the best defenders of his generation, combining tactical
awareness with skill and pace.
The likes of world-class players Fabio
Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta fill out a back line likely
to keep the three-time World Champions in any match.
Significant past players:
Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi, Marco
Tardelli, Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, Dino Zoff, Luigi
Riva, Gianni Rivera, Sandro Mazzola, Giacinto Facchetti,
Giuseppe Meazza
Achievements:
-- Champion 1934 FIFA World Cup Italy
-- Champion 1938 FIFA World Cup France
-- 2nd 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico
-- 4th 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina
-- Champion 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain
-- 3rd 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy
-- 2nd 1994 FIFA World Cup USA
-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France
-- Champion UEFA European Championship Italy 1968
-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1980
-- 3rd UEFA European Championship France 1984
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium - The Netherlands
2000
-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1936 |
