What: FIFA Confederations Cup – Group A
Who: Italy v Japan
When: Wednesday 19th June, 2013, at 23:00 UK Time
Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Encouraging Start For The Azzurri
Italy meet a familiar face when they take on Japan, in the shape of Alberto Zaccheroni, the coach of the Blue Samurai. Cesare Prandelli’s meeting of minds with his fellow countryman is sure to be a fascinating duel and one he will be desperate to win.
The Italians got off to the perfect start to their campaign with a 2-1 win over Mexico on Sunday. Italy were much improved from recent games and eventually imposed themselves on the Mexicans, with Andrea Pirlo imperious as ever on his 100th cap, scoring a superb curling free kick to put the Azzurri ahead, and contributing to the move which eventually saw Mario Balotelli’s strike for the winning goal.
Prandelli will consider it particularly useful as he opted to play with just one forward in Balotelli, with Emanuele Giaccherini impressive just behind the AC Milan man. Matteo De Sciglio enjoyed an assured game at left back as he continues to show his worth at this level, and Prandelli will be buoyed by the development of his team, who control games far more assertively than previous Italy sides, but have seemingly not lost that know-how when it comes to winning important matches.
Brazil Cut Down Blue Samurai
Japan came into the Confederations Cup full of hope and as the only visiting nation to have qualified to return to Brazil next year for the World Cup. But the Blue Samurai were put to the sword by Brazil in the opening game, and had barely got going by the time Neymar planted a fine shot into the corner of Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi’s net in the third minute of the match.
It was a typical Japanese display in many ways, with plenty of fine build up play and good technical quality on show, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third and end product. Japan must find a way to replicate their good work in the first two thirds of the field in the final part of the pitch if they are to make it to the semi-finals.
That said, Japan are not well suited to playing Brazil, who are perhaps the most physically imposing team at the Confederations Cup. Zaccheroni is also convinced that his team’s below par display only hinted at what they are capable of. And they may be helped against Italy by the fact that Japanese immigrants make up the largest migrant group in Brazil – so they will be well supported. And with an increasing number of Japan’s stars playing in England and Germany, there is a sense that the country is set to make a significant stride forward on the world stage.
Recent form
Italy:
Czech Republic 0-0 Italy (07/06; World Cup qualifying)
Haiti 2-2 Italy (12/06; Friendly)
Mexico 1-2 Italy (16/06; Confederations Cup)
Japan:
Japan 0-2 Bulgaria (04/06; Friendly)
Iraq 0-1 Japan (11//06; World Cup qualifying)
Brazil 3-0 Japan (15/06; Confederations Cup)
Players to watch
Italy – Mario Balotelli: Balotelli continued his impressive form for his country against Mexico with a late winner that owed to sheer brute force as he barged his way between two defenders to fire the ball home. Until that point Balotelli seemed to be enjoying something of a mini battle with the Mexican goalkeeper Jose Corona. The movement of the AC Milan striker was good against Mexico, offering an outlet out wide as well as the option of a quick ball over the top of the defence. Another display like that and Japan may be heading for an early exit.
Japan – Keisuke Honda: CSKA Moscow midfielder Honda was one of Japan’s best players in the 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday and he could have a crucial role to play in this game. Featuring behind Shinji Okazaki, Honda will be responsible for prising open the Italian defence, but also for shuffling back to prevent Italy getting the ball into their evergreen deep lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo. Japan were actually quite effective at stopping Brazil getting the ball in central areas and so Honda and Yasuhito Endo will have an important role to play both defensively and going forward. The two linked up really well against Brazil and Honda represents their best route to victory.
Match Prediction
Italy enjoyed a fine evening’s work against Mexico on Sunday but will face a very different tactical test in Japan. Whereas Mexico like to play the game at a slow pace, which in the end suited the Italians, Japan can be expected to give the Azzurri less time in possession. Pirlo may find it harder to impose himself on the contest if Japan’s pressing is good.
Honda, Endo and Shinji Kagawa should be able to get the Japanese into good positions and control play well in midfield but the problem remains going forward. Shinji Okazaki could be the answer, the Stuttgart forward has a good goalscoring record for Japan but he is up against some of the world’s finest defenders when they face Italy.
The problem for Japan is that Italy are more potent going forward. Whether it is the power of Balotelli, the guile of Giaccherini, Riccardo Montolivo or Stephan El Shaarawy, there is a real cutting edge to the Azzuri that the Japanese lack. Yet there is something about this Japanese team that suggests, with their diligent work rate and technical excellence, that they could inflict a surprise defeat on an unsuspecting Italy. Italy 1-2 Japan.
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