Parma Club Focus: The Gialloblu’s Azzurri hopefuls

Date: 27th March 2014 at 1:33pm
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Realistically this summer, Parma could be contributing three players to Italy’s 2014 World Cup squad. Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli attended last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Genoa, it has been speculated that the trip was solely made to keep an eye on Antonio Cassano’s form, but the performances of recent Azzurri debutant Gabriel Paletta and central midfielder Marco Parolo won’t have gone unnoticed.

Parolo has enjoyed a stellar year with the Crociati, arguably he has been the team’s second best player behind Cassano. Its been somewhat of a breakout year for the 29 year old, he’s scored seven goals and assisted a further five this season.

In his previous three Serie A seasons he only had nine goals and three assists to his name. He has proven himself more than capable of steadying the Parma midfield and providing the perfect balance between attack and defence.

Although he only has two caps to his name, if he can continue his current good form and have a good showing in World Cup warm up games he could just about sneak into the final 23. It will be tough for Parolo however, Italy arguably possess their most depth in midfield. Parolo will be battling it out with the likes of Marco Verratti, Andrea Poli and Alberto Aquilani for one of the few remaining spots on the plane to Brazil.

Defender Gabriel Paletta only made his international debut last March after gaining permission from FIFA to switch national allegiance from Argentina to Italy. He played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Spain and in many people’s eyes he was the stand out performer in this game for Italy.

Paletta is a very accomplished defender on the ball, he suits Prandelli’s ‘build from the back’ ethos and could prove to be a valuable asset in Brazil this summer. He has experience of playing in many different formations but has truly excelled within Roberto Donadoni’s 352 at Parma.

Finally we have Antonio Cassano. Out of the three hopefuls Cassano has by far the most international experience with 35 caps and 10 goals to his name. A solid record, a record that his better than a player who played with the same grace, technique and passion of Cassano; Roberto Mancini.

Mancini managed 36 caps and four goals over a ten year Azzurri career, however he was seriously blighted on the international stage by manager fall outs and the rise of Roberto Baggio. Cassano, to date, has encountered similar problems, manager fall outs and the rise of younger players. But his form this season could lead to an Indian summer for the man from Bari.

Prandelli’s admiration for Cassano is evident, Cassano started in all six of Italy’s Euro 2012 games. Although he only managed one goal and one assist in the tournament, his link up play and passing were instrumental to Italy reaching the final. Indeed he formed a very fruitful partnership with Mario Balotelli, could the same happen again this summer?

It could, however, Cassano could actually face competition from an unlikely source, rumours are abound that Francesco Totti could make a return to the national team for the World Cup.

Just imagine that, potentially we could have Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano pulling the strings of the Azzurri attack. If that isn’t one for the footballing purists then I don’t know what is.

 

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