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Friday, June 20, 2014

Game 24 Preview: Italy vs. Costa Rica

ITALY vs. COSTA RICA


 Date: June 20, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 1-0-0 Italy
Last Match: 1994 Friendly. Italy def. Costa Rica 1-0.
Line: Italy -210
Group D Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Italy (9th), Costa Rica (28th)
Managers: Cesare Prandelli (ITA), Jorge Luis Pinto (CRC)
Captains: Gianluigi Buffon (ITA), Bryan Ruiz (CRC)
World Cup Appearances: 18 (ITA), 4 (CRC)
Best Finish: Italy (4x Champions, Last in 2006), Costa Rica (Round of 16, 1990)
Qualifying Records: Italy 6-0-4, GF: 19, GA: 9), Costa Rica (8-4-4, GF: 27, GA: 12)

Previous Game Results

Italy

Costa Rica

June 14th - Costa Rica def. Uruguay 3-1

Rosters


















Injuries/Discipline

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon (Probable - Foot), Mattia De Sciglio (Doubtful - Leg)
Costa Rica: N/A

Overview

Not the circumstances in which this game was expected to be played, Italy and Costa Rica will square off for the lead in Group D today in Recife.

Fresh off a 2-1 victory over England, Italy will be looking to take a stranglehold in this group with a win today and are expected to do so with their captain Gianluigi Buffon back in goal. The heavily favoured Italian team have to be wary of their opponent though, after what they did to Uruguay last weekend.

Costa Rica turned in one of the shocks of the World Cup so far, riding a trio of second-half goals to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay in their opening game. It was no fluke either, as Costa Rica showed a stingy defence that stifled the South American Champions and a deadly striking partnership of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. They may have caught Uruguay napping a bit though and should have their hands full against Italy in this contest.

Italy should deploy their typical 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation against Costa Rica. Anchored by Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in the midfield, It's an ideal formation for Italy to maintain defensive balance and still gives them freedom to attack. They'll be counting on a better performance from Mario Balotelli up front who was largely absent from the England game despite scoring the winning goal.

Costa Rica vary their formation but typically play a 2-3-5 formation that is the rave of this tournament tactic-wise. Costa Rica are known in CONCACAF for their strong defence and will rely heavily on the back 5 to keep Italy at bay in this game.

Personnel

In the Italian Third: Despite 3 goals against Uruguay, that was a dreadful performance by their back line and about the best game Joel Campbell in particular has ever played. I have difficulty seeing Costa Rica replicate that showing against the Italian defenders and midfield which are close to full strength again. Advantage: Italy.

In the Midfield: Costa Rica pressed Uruguay very effectively and won the battle defensively in the midfield. Italy are stronger on ball movement though. Costa Rica also looked for the long ball frequently as opposed to controlling the ball offensively through the middle. I like Italy's ball movement and spacing in the midfield to cause problems for Costa Rica today. Advantage: Italy.

In the Costa Rican Third: Italy took advantage of a poor England back line in their first game but didn't have the same dynamic ball movement we would have expected from them. They'll face a stiffer test in Costa Rica who are stout in the back and should have 5 guys back at all times. Italy absolutely need Balotelli to show up but at best that would probably be an even fight. Advantage: Costa Rica

Goalkeeping: I'm personally impressed with Keylor Navas in the Costa Rican goal but Buffon/Sirigu are some of the class of the world. Buffon's wealth of experience will be huge for Italy in all of their games going forward. Advantage: Italy

Italy will win if:

Shut down Campbell in the centre of the field and get a bigger impact from Balotelli. Italy as a team can shut down any attack in the world with their positioning and intelligence. Campbell was a constant thorn in Uruguay's side though. Big, fast and needs very little room to make things happen. Also let go of some lasers from distance. Has to be shut down immediately. Similar in the other end, Costa Rica don't have a lot of stars in the back relying more on their play as a unit to be successful. More then anyone, Balotelli has the potential to blow that all up with a solo performance. Needs to stay onside, use his size to win balls and draw defenders towards him to free up his midfielders.

Costa Rica will win if:

Horribly cliche but DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING. I don't think Costa Rica can play better then that second half against Uruguay. If they do anything though, they have to get more fluid movement in the midfield. Uruguay were horribly irresponsible defensively which freed up a lot of the space for Costa Rica to attack their goal. Italy won't afford them the same luxury. Have to be able to work the ball in the midfield and sustain some possession to build up their attack. Italy will bury them if they can't.

Prediction

Don't think the Costa Rica win over Uruguay was a fluke but also don't think they can replicate that offensive performance against Italy. Costa Rica will get some chances at goal but too much pressure over the course of the game to hold off Italy.

Italy 2-1 Costa Rica.

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