Transition time for European heavyweights

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

Three of the biggest names in European football must go back to the drawing board following a massively disappointing showing at the World Cup from the trio of Spain, Italy and England, but what procedures can they install in an attempt to avoid a repeat of this summer’s failures at the next major international tournament taking place in 2016?

Spain’s stumbles in Brazil created the strongest reverberations around the world when the defending champions crashed spectacularly at the hands of Holland in their opening group game. That 5-1 loss effectively signalled the end of an era for a side that had dominated international football since 2008 and conjured serious doubts around the Mediterranean nation’s ability to regain their place at the top of the pile again in the foreseeable future.

Departing greats such as David Villa, Xavi and Iker Casillas all appeared to be way past their best, while long-term inspirational leader Carles Puyol didn’t even make the squad due to injury and will retire from all football this summer. The error-strewn displays of Real Madrid goalkeeping legend Casillas were particularly shocking and contributed heavily to the downfall of Vicente Del Bosque’s men.

Italy, meanwhile, started brightly with an impressive 2-1 victory over England in their first fixture, but faded badly afterwards when losing to both Costa Rica and Uruguay without recording a goal. Their third-place finish in Group D caused the emotional resignation of head coach Cesare Prandelli and indeed the mourning of a nation at the death of their World Cup dreams.

Again, older stars within the Azzurri ranks looked jaded and could not inspire their younger colleagues to glory. Gianluigi Buffon, so long a talisman for the Italians between the sticks, missed the win over England in the opening game due to injury, but returned in place of Salvatore Sirigu to preside over two defeats to teams they were initially expected to beat in order to progress.

The usually outstanding Andrea Pirlo was peerless in Manaus against the English, yet largely struggled to replicate that form thereafter. He may have signed another contract at Juventus, but the ‘Player of the Tournament’ at Euro 2012 didn’t cope well with the conditions over in South America and it seems unlikely that it’ll be possible to rely on the talented playmaker two years from now.

Another whose status at the highest level must be cast into doubt is rehabilitated ‘enfant terrible’ Antonio Cassano, who looked out of his depth when utilised by Prandelli at the World Cup. Italy were toothless going forward when in opposition to the rough-house tactics of Uruguay and the well organised counter-attacking style of surprise package Costa Rica, so will need to find a reliable goalscorer to take the burden off the mercurial Mario Balotelli. Furthermore, highly-rated holding midfielder Daniele De Rossi also failed to convince and must up his game considerably if he wishes to stake a claim for a spot at Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson gave way to public pressure when choosing a youthful and vibrant squad seemingly full of promise, but which ultimately failed to deliver. A large proportion of England’s problems differ to both Spain and Italy in that they’ve already embarked upon the process of renewing an ageing team, which is a task that still looms large for the other two nations.

Wise old head coach Hodgson must hope several of his newest charges blossom into top-level operators, with at least one or two developing world-class pedigrees. The only footballers within the 23-man World Cup outfit selected by Hodgson who were performing at that exalted level previously were Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard; the first one careered backwards hugely since his international zenith at Euro 2004 and the other two now at an age when their best days are truly behind them. That so-called ‘golden generation’ whom travelled to the World Cup of 2002 didn’t come close to realising the lofty expectations placed upon them and have since broken up to leave behind a relatively naïve bunch of players who need to learn quickly.

The English require an identity; Italy always look to field a tight, organised defence and use their penchant for counter-attacking to take a lead which they can then defend, Spain their possession play, pressing and two-touch passing. Hodgson must forge ahead with his favoured strategy and select players who fit nicely into that framework.

England’s displays against Uruguay and especially Italy were generally well received by fans and the media alike, but individual mistakes proved costly in both ties and saw them bow out of proceedings meekly after a meagre two matches. It was a chastening experience for the squad, but one which will hopefully toughen them up for the significant challenges ahead.

Spain probably have the greatest chance of bouncing back swiftly on the face of it, given they have all the necessary processes in place which helped them to already achieve so much from that breakthrough triumph at Euro 2008 onwards. Their academies regularly produce footballers of the highest quality and undoubtedly will continue to do so.

It is the start of a turbulent transitional phase for the Spanish and the time is right for a change of leadership, so elder statesman Del Bosque must step aside to allow another man to take the team forward. However, the basic principles of his reign must be carried through in terms of style and tactics and then built upon for the overall set-up to flourish over the next few years. Pep Guardiola would be the ideal solution, but he remains committed to Bayern Munich and therefore La Roja’s search for a fresh custodian will go on for sometime yet.

Cesare Prandelli’s decision to leave his post and seek pastures new in Turkey with Galatasaray causes a void that will be difficult to fill with an adequate replacement. The man who left Istanbul to create the vacancy at Gala, Roberto Mancini, is the bookies’ favourite and certainly possesses the silverware in his locker to suggest he’s ready for the call having won both the English Premier League and Serie A titles during his time in club management. However, he is a divisive figure who doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his players, including a certain Signor Balotelli during their time together at Manchester City.

Alternative candidates Francesco Guidolin and Massimiliano Allegri don’t exactly inspire great excitement, as the former is mainly used to guiding unfashionable clubs to higher heights than expected - but still not winning anything of note - and the latter was unceremoniously sacked by Milan last winter with the San Siro giants struggling in lower mid-table.

A bold choice of manager by the Italian FA would be advisable, whilst the over-reliance on master craftsman Pirlo must cease in order for the team to improve sufficiently. The likes of Balotelli, Verratti, Immobile and Insigne have the opportunity to take on the mantle from more established stars and thus drag the Azzurri back to the pinnacle of world football once again. That crop of talent hold the tools to become successful and now they have to use them effectively; whether there are more like them waiting in the wings to beef up Italy’s options remains to be seen.

Back with England, the consensus appears to be to allow Hodgson a chance to continue the work he began in rejuvenating the side, while looking towards Euro 2016 in France as the potential tournament when that spadework will begin reaping rewards.

There is a fair degree of uncertainty surrounding the Three Lions’ future simply because nobody can accurately predict how well this group of emerging players will develop, both individually and collectively. However, Hodgson has put his faith in those youngsters to bring smiles to English faces and he must stick wholeheartedly by that philosophy; two vital ingredients that would assist markedly would be the unearthing of a commanding central defender and also a striker who doesn’t require five clear-cut chances to score a goal.

 

Should they seek out and locate players of that ilk, while further enhancing the skills of those already harnessed within the squad, then England could confidently believe that a happier period lies just ahead of them.

 



Twitter: @davewh1980

Classic clash: Italy v England October 1997

By David Lee Wheatley

England travelled to Rome for the final match of the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign requiring a solitary point at the Stadio Olimpico to guarantee their spot at the tournament proper. Italy famously triumphed over the English in the reverse fixture when the diminutive Gianfranco Zola beat goalkeeper Ian Walker at his near post to secure only their second-ever victory at Wembley.

 

Manager Glenn Hoddle knew it would be a tough assignment for his squad, but fully believed in their ability to confound the critics and make it through to France '98 ahead of their fierce rivals. At least a draw in the Eternal City and the Three Lions would be roaring all the way to the finals, while consigning the mighty Italians to the dreaded play-offs.

 

The former Tottenham maestro was known for his love of cultured football, but felt it necessary to instruct his charges to sit back and hit the Azzurri on the counter-attack whenever possible. He was aware that the hosts would strive to put England under constant pressure and deemed it too risky to attempt a reciprocation of those tactics. Therefore, the team were well-drilled in advance over the rigid nature of their defensive duties in order to stifle the opposition threat.

 

Hoddle selected an experienced line-up including captain for the evening Paul Ince, Tony Adams, Paul Gascoigne, David Seaman and Ian Wright. Meanwhile, the Italian starting eleven was brimming with global superstars such as Maldini, Albertini, Vieri, Zola and Pippo Inzaghi to name but a few, thus providing a rather daunting prospect when the visitors faced up to the unenviable task in front of them.

 

An incredible 81,000 fans packed into the Olimpico to witness the contest and set about the creation of a wonderfully partisan atmosphere reminiscent of the infamous Colosseum itself. The tension was palpable due to the sheer magnitude of the occasion and yet the English appeared completely focused as the sides lined up prior to kick-off.

 

As predicted, Italy reserved the lion's share of territory, as England allowed them to play with relative freedom until approaching the final third of the field. Then they would press, pursue and chase down every ball with boundless energy, heroically blocking everything which came into their path. Ince and Gascoigne were particularly impressive in central midfield, working doggedly to win back possession and proceeding to retain it with great poise. The pair spent almost the entire game relentlessly stalking every blade of grass on the pitch in true lung-busting fashion, while bidding to stop the Italian artisans from making a crucial breakthrough.

 

Home hopes blew up spectacularly late on, as the away team successfully frustrated their illustrious foes until Italy's discipline eventually deserted them altogether when in utter desperation to claim three points. Locally-born wide midfielder Angelo Di Livio lost his head completely after 76 minutes, resulting in a sending-off that made England's job that much easier thanks to the departure of the tigerish Juventus man.

 

Battered and bruised, courageous captain Ince epitomised the battling spirit within the camp throughout England's rearguard action against the well-fancied Azzurri. Just like Terry Butcher years before him, the inspirational leader stood up to the rigours of the heated clash while sporting a makeshift bandage around his head following a stray Demetrio Albertini elbow, along with a white jersey heavily stained with bright red blood. He should have received several stitches in the wound, but having been informed of the 30 minutes needed to administer the patch-up work, Ince refused the offer and continued to play on which allowed the visitors to remain at full strength throughout. It showed superb comradeship by the former Inter dynamo and proved just how much the result meant to him and his compatriots.

 

In a manic last few moments, Ian Wright hit the post when most believed he was certain to score, while colossal striker Christian Vieri missed a header in the dying seconds at the other end to effectively seal that precious 0-0 scoreline the underdogs so desired. Once the full-time whistle sounded, England's exhausted heroes fell to the ground in sheer tiredness and relief.They'd produced one of the finest English performances on foreign soil in living memory, defying the odds to conquer Rome and advance to the World Cup finals after an agonising eight-year wait since Italia '90.

 

Let's hope this latest generation of footballers who are currently entrusted with the country's fortunes at the 2014 World Cup can replicate the same level of pride in the shirt so readily displayed by those on that glorious night in the Italian capital - we might just stand half a chance!

Twitter: @davewh1980