MTA: On to Group C! This group features holders and World Cup Champions Spain, 2006 World Cup champs Italy, Ireland and Croatia.
My beloved Spain is probably the quietest favorite in this tournament. They hold the two major trophies in international soccer, but no one seems to be picking them to win it again. And I am one of those people, as much as I hate to say it. The losses of David Villa up front and Carles Puyol in the back are huge red flags. Villa is Spain's all-time leading scorer and Puyol, like for his club FC Barcelona, adds a stability and fire-putting-out ability to a defense that otherwise likes to push up and leave gaps. That being said the roster is still stacked with some of the finest talent on the planet. A midfield that hinges on the amazing consistency of Xavi will never be out of a match. The man makes hundreds of passes a game and will rarely misplace the ball. He is a rock. Iniesta and Fabregas can provide plenty of creativity and firepower from the center of the park and Sergi Busquets and Xabi Alonso will provide plenty of cover for the back line. Pique has not had his best season at Barcelona, often forgetting he's not a striker while venturing too far up the pitch. Sergio Ramos has a similar problem, but both players have plenty of pace and guile to get themselves out of many situations and Iker Casillas is definitely top three best keepers in the world. Fernando Llorente was on fire for Athletic Bilbao this year, and if it hadn't been for Messi's ridiculous tally of 73 goals this year he would have had more media attention. I think they let him try to replace Villa and work Pedro and or Torres in around him. While Torres did struggle to find goals for Chelsea he did do a ton of the dirty work and provided a lot that didn't show up in the match report so he should be fine, especially since he did see some revival at the end of the campaign. There isn't any reason anyone should doubt Spain, and I'm sure they're using the lack of attention as motivation, it just seems hard to believe they will win three straight tournaments as you can only take everyone's best shot for so long.
Italy would have to be the other favorites to advance from this group. This isn't your granddaddy's Italy; this team will not rely on its defense to get it through with anti-football the country has made its name on. The Antonios (Cassano and Di Natale) up front will lead the way. Wild card Mario Balotelli looks to also make his mark, which I'm sure he will with either a fantastic goal or a fantastically stupid red card. The midfield will be headed by Andrea Pirlo, who will be the only deep lying midfielder of the group. Thiago Motta and Daniele De Rossi will be pushing forward every chance they can. The back will be lead by Gianluigi Buffon in goal, who once was impenetrable, has shown signs of a lost step as he's aged. Chiellini will look to dominate the back line after an impressive year with Juventus. This squad will definitely be more attacking but the problem will be consistency through the backbone of the team. There is also a match fixing scandal going on back home, which has taken some key players out of the squad. But last time there was a match fixing scandal in Italy, the national side lifted the World Cup trophy, so who knows how it will affect the players.
The next team is feel good story of the tournament, Ireland. After heartbreakingly sent home without qualifying for the World Cup due to a Thierry Henry handball that allowed him to score the winning goal in the playoff, it was nice to see the Irish make a tournament for the first time in ten years. They will be bouyed by the support of neutrals who will fall in love with their fans who will be there just to enjoy the party. The Irish will also benefit from manager Trapatoni's years of experience as the national coach of Italy. That being said, the squad Ireland are bringing to Poland and Ukraine, while well known, are not exactly world beaters. Keeper Shay Given was once the best goalie in England, now plies his trade at Aston Villa, who narrowly staved off relegation. Defenders John O'Shea and Richard Dunne (career leader in own goals in the EPL) have seen their better days. Names like Damien Duff and Stephen Hunt will look to control the midfield, which would be great if this were 2006. The strike force will be led by MLS star (never a good thing) Robbie Keane, and career lower EPL/ higher Championship players like Kevin Doyle and Shane Long. A result or two is all that I can expect from this team who will just be glad to be there.
Lastly, there's Croatia. Croatia's biggest name is on the outs coach/rock star Slaven Bilic. It is well believed he will be looking to make the jump to club managing which usually is a huge distraction for players. There is talent in the squad, despite the loss of striker Ivica Olic to a hamstring tear. Former Arsenal man Eduardo will be leaned on heavily to provide the offense. The Croats will need Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar to play huge roles in midfield if they want any sort of success. And the defense will have to be dominated by out of form Vedran Corluka. There isn't a lot to say about Croatia. They will have high hopes but just not enough firepower to make it out of the group. They will battle Ireland for the honors of not last.
MJ: It is difficult to pick Spain winning a third consecutive major international tournament because it has never been done before. The Spanish National Team has been hit by a few crucial injuries in both attack and defense. Lastly, Jose Mourinho has made it his personal mission to disrupt and divide the Spanish nation, its fans, and players at the cost of club success for Real Madrid. Fatigue from a grueling season is always a speed bump in summer tournaments. Few teams match the output of energy Real Madrid and Barcelona players exert as both teams respectfully depend vastly on their starting eleven plus a few integral squad players. However, manager Vincent Del Bosque will not be able to fall back on any of the above referenced issues as excuses. It is a group Spain should easily get out of, and any momentum at all will help make those leggy feet fleet and rumblings of a history breaking victory will be omnipresent. Cesc Fabregas with another tournament winning assist would make this Gooner proud. The Italian national team is changing its stripes. A blend of spirited attack and solid defensive organization will be on display this tournament. The starting eleven possibilities give Cesare Prandelli a synergistic approach with the option in selecting both exciting young players and veteran stalwarts. Again, in a group where it is extremely easy to pick Spain and Italy as teams to progress, one should look a bit closer at the Italian team. They are currently being raked over the coals for another match fixing scandal and have not scored a goal in 300 minutes. The confidence the Italian players possess or lack there of will be the determing factor for their tournament. Will they coast into the knockout round on a foundation of scandal and offensive lapses or will the Azzurri put everything behind them, a la 2006, and make another defiant run at glory? The Republic of Ireland's WC qualifying pain was vindicated with their bearth into Euro '12. However, now that they have "arrived" where can they go? Their first game against Croatia will be massive and telling if either team has a chance to progress. It funnels down to Robbie Keane v. Luca Modric. They will not match up against each other too often on the pitch but they are the deciding players that need to be at full mast if a tournament opening win and any future upsets could be expected. Modric however, disappseared in the last third of his club season with Tottenham. In turn, Robbie Keane, heavily criticized for going to the LA Galaxy, has not taken his twiglight football all that seriously. Moreover, both players are capable of helping their team top the other. This opening match should be a cracker for both camps, unfortunately their next two games may already be over before the first whistle.
Stay tuned you loyal fan(s?), We have one group left! Look for it later this week.
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