Paletta’s perfect Azzurri debut a testament to Parma’s success

Italy may have lost to Spain once again in their most recent friendly, but perhaps more importantly, a debutante may have won a place in Cesare Prandelli’s Azzurri squad for the World Cup.

The former art known as Italian defending has been a catastrophe over the last 18 months. During the Confederations Cup, there weren’t many positive signs pointing towards an improvement in the department.

Not even Juventus’ terrific trio of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have done enough to convince supporters that they’re the best choices to start in Brazil.

The latter has been the most consistent, although without a set partner beside him, Chiellini has had his struggles since last summer for his country. It could be down to playing in a four man back line. After all, Juve coach Antonio Conte deploys a three man defence. However, it doesn’t help when Prandelli can’t find another suitable starter to line up with the 29-year-old.

Those debates may finally be put to rest. Gabriel Paletta, one half of Parma’s outstanding central defensive duo, was named man of the match for the Azzurri in their 1-0 loss to Spain during the most recent international break.

He was the lone bright star in what was a depressing display by the Euro 2012 finalists. The 28-year-old was deployed as a right sided centre-half beside Barzagli and was shutting down the likes of Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, and Diego Costa, who was also playing in his first match for his new adoptive country.

For those who’ve followed him this season, this doesn’t come as a surprise. The impressive part is that this was done against the two time defending European and current world champion. The only reason Pedro scored the loan goal was because no one picked up the runs of the onrushing David Silva and the Barcelona winger.

Only Paletta made an effort in stopping Silva, which he did initially, but because no one marked the scorer, the loose ball was smashed past Gianluigi Buffon without much fuss.

The focus entering the friendly was on Costa, but he was completely nullified all thanks to Paletta. Entering that match, the Brazilian-born striker had scored 26 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for Atletico Madrid. He was limited to four shots. Two were off target and two more were blocked, one was stopped by the imposing central defender.

Like Costa, Paletta was born outside of the country he represents. He’s from Buenos Aires, Argentina but his parents are of Italian descent,hence why he’s eligible. In 2005, the Banfield product was an integral figure in the Argentinians winning the U-20 World Cup. He started all seven matches on route to the title.

Following an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool where he made just eight appearances in all competitions for The Reds, he returned to Argentina and bounced back with Boca Juniors. That’s when Parma noticed him and signed him in 2010.

Even after Roberto Donadoni arrived and switched to a back three, Paletta still thrived like he did under former coach Franco Colomba. Despite an Achilles injury that prevented him from starting the current season, the Argentinean-Italian hasn’t missed a beat. Now it’s getting him noticed at an international level.

Regardless of whether or not Paletta will be named to the World Cup squad, him getting the opportunity to win a seat on the plane has finally shed some light on Parma’s incredible run this campaign.

After 26 matches, the Crociati are in sixth place, good enough for a Europa League qualification spot. They’re two points behind Fiorentina and on the back of Inter. Both clubs are fourth and fifth in the Serie A table respectively, yet they spent nearly €76 million more than the Gialloblu.

Along with their league position, Parma’s 15 game unbeaten streak is only bettered by Juventus’ 19. They’ve only won eight of those 15 matches, but have defeated Hellas Verona, Torino and Napoli. The Ducali have also drawn with Inter and Fiorentina along the way.

A huge contributor in that is Gabriel Paletta. An Argentinean who won youth accolades with his birth nation who may be representing his ancestral country on the biggest stage with millions watching. Not many will know who he is upon their first glance, but they’ll never forget once they witness him containing some of the best attackers in the world.