Come 2014, the attention of the footballing world will be on Brazil as it hosts the FIFA World Cup. The Italian national team is among the big names expected to qualify for the event but one wonders what the Azurri squad especially the attack will look like in the year 2014. In the past, the Italian National team has been blessed with great forwards like Paolo Rossi, Roberto Baggio and in more recent years, the likes of Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi were all lethal in front of goal. In the present day squad, there are many forwards that have been given the opportunity to prove their selves by the Coach, Cesare Prandelli. The question is who amongst them will spearhead the Italian attack in the next World Cup. The last outing was a disgrace, so fans will be looking forward to a Mundial finish that matches the reputation of the country in football. How else can the Azurri have a good outing without putting the ball behind the goalkeepers of the opposing sides very often? It is all about goals and more goals. Who among these strikers can do it? The list is a personal but realistic one of those whose age will not be a barrier to their participation in the 2014 World Cup.
Alberto Gilardino: He will be 31 by the next World Cup and has a chance to be there because of his previous two time experience at the competition. Another advantage he has is that others with experience in the current squad may be too old to feature and he might just be the only option upfront that will travel based on his competition experience. When Gilardino broke into national limelight in Parma thanks to his exploits in front of goal, many pundits predicted a bright future not only for him but that of the Azurri as well. Along the line, the goals have not been coming as they used to when he was much younger but he can score goals when provided with opportunity. His goal ratio for the Azurri is about one in three games. The question is will his experience hand him the starting shirt in Brazil?
Fabio Quagliarella: Quag will be 31 in 2014 and he came to national prominence around 2007 after a spectacular season for Sampdoria. He has one competition experience and has good technique on the ball. He may also have a chance in Brazil depending on how his career turns out. His style of play is somewhere between Del Piero’s and Giuseppe Rossi’s. Will he be good enough to take out a still-developing Rossi who has the potential and of course a better chance to be on top of his game in 2014?
Giampaolo Pazzini: He will be 29 in Brazil and the advantage is that strikers peak around 29 and 30. This may help him have a nice season just before the competition. He has one competition experience up his sleeve as well. He had a good goal ratio for Sampdoria and also doing well for Inter Milan though he just got there. His goal scoring record upfront for the Azurri is where the problem lies. While it is important to be able to score goals for clubs, it is equally crucial to deliver when your country needs you. His big club move may help in polishing the necessary instincts he needs to succeed in international football. Can he step up his game before 2014?
Alessandro Matri: He will be 29 by the next world cup. He is new to international football with a cap and a goal. He is playing in a big club for the first time and does not look like a bad bargain. He also looks like a natural goal poacher but nobody knows yet because he has not really had the time to prove himself. If he stays in Juventus and becomes a regular in Turin, his World Cup chance may be assured. He needs to show his worth whenever he gets the chance. For now he is almost a no-name outside Italy but if he does shine for Juventus, he may be on his way to leading Italy’s attack in the World Cup. Will he last in a big club?
Giuseppe Rossi: He will be 27 by the next FIFA World Cup but Rossi plays more as a supporting striker for the national side. He is equally adept to playing upfront and he looks a good prospect for the future of the team. If Rossi wants to improve his chances with the Azurri, he needs to play club football in Italy. He is still relatively young and has considerable time to fully develop his poaching ability. If he finally moves to a Serie A club and lives up to expectation then he may just be the man. When will he move? Is he going to find the back of the net in Serie A like he is doing this season in Spain where defenders are less ruthless?
Mario Balotelli: Super Mario will be 23 in Brazil and he is one of the most exciting prospects in world football today. The Manchester City forward is highly talented, strong and very fast. His advantage is his raw talent which many people expect to have developed very well by the next World Cup. His major disadvantage is his personality. Somebody recently said that Mario has the potential to be anything he wants to be, it is up to him. Can he keep his head down?
X: Unknown? This could be someone that is not even known as a club star at the moment. Brazil is a long time from now and there is lot of time to have many new faces spring up. Chiellini was not in the world conquering side in 2006 but was the core of the defence even if Cannavaro was the captain in 2010. The same thing may happen in the next World Cup where Azurri’s top striker may still be lurking somewhere in obscurity at the moment. As fans, we keep our hands crossed and wait for Mr X or that person whose goals can drive the team to a good competition in Brazil.
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