If you can count on the Italians to do anything, it’s defend like hell. With the wildly experienced Juventus trinity of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci (as well as Andrea Barzagli if manager Antonio Conte goes with three central defenders) still going strong, and experienced defensive midfielders Thiago Motta and Daniele De Rossi providing an extra layer of protection, this Italian defense will be tough to break down.
The battle-tested Azzurri have finished runners-up in two of the last four European Championships, including Euro 2012. However, they aren’t favored to win Group E – they’re priced at +150, second to Belgium – and are +1,600 to go on and win this year’s tournament.
Team Weaknesses:
Motta and De Rossi are good, but they’re hardly Conte’s first options in midfield. Injuries to Marco Verratti (the team’s midfield maestro) and Claudio Marchisio (a capable contributor of goals from midfield) will rob an already underwhelming Italian attack of two crucial components.
Meanwhile, their lack of quality up front will also be a bit of an issue. Euro 2012 hero Mario Balotelli was left out of the squad, leaving Graziano Pelle as the team’s main striker. Pelle was their leading scorer in qualifying with three measly goals, while Lorenzo Insigne is still untested in the big stage of international football.
Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):
Category
Stat
Goals Scored Per Game
1.6
Goals Conceded Per Game
0.7
Goal Attempts Per Game
16.3
Pass Completion Percentage
90%
Ball Possession Percentage
56%
Starting Lineup:
Position
Name (Age)
Career Caps
Goals
Goalie
Gianluigi Buffon (38)
156
0
Defender
Mattia De Sciglio (23)
22
0
Defender
Giorgio Chiellini (31)
82
6
Defender
Leonardo Bonucci (29)
55
3
Defender
Matteo Darmian (26)
21
1
Midfielder
Thiago Motta (33)
25
1
Midfielder
Daniele De Rossi (32)
101
17
Midfielder
Riccardo Montolivo (31)
62
2
Forward
Antonio Candreva (29)
36
3
Forward
Lorenzo Insigne (24)
8
2
Forward
Graziano Pelle (30)
11
4
Writer’s Prediction
Italy manage to make it to the round of 16, but that’s as far as the Azzurri go.
