Italy V Croatia

Is it just me or does it feel like deja vu', Italy may have become too Juve like, and have become the draw specialist. There is a danger that they won't make it out of their group thanks to Spain pulverising The Irish by four goals. This game was always going to be tricky, Croatia are by no means a walk in the park, yet I did hope that once they had got the lead, they would have made it as hard as possible for Croatia to get back into the game.
The game started very open and free flowing, yet there was always something missing, the firepower was just on idle and not firing on all cylinders, and there lyed their downfall. The Azzurri had 15 shot with 7 on target but only 4 were accurate enough to trouble the keeper, which proved that Gigi Buffon is right in saying they are not clinical enough. With players like Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale and Mario Balotelli in your ranks this should not be the case, least we forget they also have Giovinco, Marchisio etc on their side, so creating the chances are not a problem.
Mario Balotelli is playing as though he doesn't want to take ultimate responsibility, time and time again he would try a lay it off to Cassano, Balotelli seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, all the talk of him being a " nut job" at his Club has started to seep into the National side, having said that, early on he did have some wonderful shots on goal but again they were not clinical enough.He is still very young and I believe that when he does work hard and create chances like he did this evening, someone should give him a hug!! He clearly needs someone to mentor him!!
Marchisio also had a good game with 4 shoots in total with 3 on goal, normally you wouldn't rely on your midfield for goals, but after his wonderful season with Juve where he scored 9 spectacular goals...one was hoping he would do the same for the National team. The goal eventually came on 39 minutes from a wonderful free kick by Andrea Pirlo, amazing as it was, it came from a set piece.
In the second half Croatia were attacking more and the boys in blue did dill dally on the ball a bit. The equaliser came in the 72nd minute and was aided a bit by an error made by Giorgio Chiellini!!
Prandelli has decided to go for 3 a the back, hoping it will lead him to the same victories as Juve, but he must understand, Juve were under Antonio Conte and maybe that system only worked in the league.. remember how may draws they got?
Cesare Prandelli is a smart man and this Azzurri side are younger a hungrier for success and I believe they have what it takes to make it.

FORZA AZZURRI!!