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The last two editions of the FIFA World Cup have hurt Italian football’s pride more than that of any other nation. Despite winning the 2006 edition in Germany the Azzurri have failed to get past the group phase both in South Africa and this year in Brazil. The public opinion about Italian football being modeled on efficiency, meticulous planning and astute defending has taken severe hit over the past few years and this despite being runners-up to a stupendous Spanish side in Euro 2012.
Former manager Cesare Prandelli did bring Italian football back on track but many critics believe that the 4-0 final loss in Kiev was un-Italian like performance despite coming up against a side that was at the peak of its form.
The somewhat unlucky loss to Uruguay in the last group game of this summer’s FIFA World Cup that also involved the Luis Suarez-Giorgio Chiellini saga was the final nail in not only Cesare Prandelli’s coffin but also that of Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete’s and the whole nation was of the opinion that a wholesale change was in need for the good of Italian football.
Antonio Conte – a no-nonsense manager
Since then Italy have appointed Antonio Conte, a man who created a winning legacy at Juventus that will be hard to follow for new manager Massimiliano Allegri. He oversaw events at every level of Juventus football club and steered the club clear of controversy after the dark days of corruption and match fixing. His revolutionary tactical prowess resulted in him bringing the best out of an ageing Andrea Pirlo in his 3-5-2 formation and land three consective Serie A titles at the Juventus Stadium.
While his departure from Juventus raised a few eyebrows in the Italian media, the national team has gained from the Bianconeri’s loss as the 45-year old manager is regarded in close circles as a great motivator who would bring in calmness, motivation, astute leadership and a no non-sense attitude towards players like Mario Balotelli who despite all the talents bring chaos to the dressing room.
An uncomplicated character who likes to speak his mind, the former Italy international gave talisman Andrea Pirlo a new lease of life and again showed his utter respect for the 35-year old playmaker by recalling him to national squad for this month’s European qualifiers.
The somewhat lost qualities of the famed Azzurri football philosophy have already been revived by Antonio Conte in his first two national team assignments in early September as Italy beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Bari in a glamorous friendly and then opened their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in style by seeing off Norway in Oslo by the same scoreline which revived memories about how the Azzurri performed meticulously on difficult away trips.
Norway was a difficult place to play and Italians had not won for a long time on Norwegian soil but Conte masterminded a typically Italian performance that saw his man management vision come to the fore with unknown Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza shining in a centre forward role that many in the Italian media craved for Mario Balotelli.
Meritocracy the way forward
Yet the former Juventus boss was adamant in his approach as he clearly wants Balotelli to improve his behaviour on and off the pitch before he is considered for any future Italy call-ups. Antonio Conte is a man who hates showboating but is a man who gives players a chance on merit as is the case with Simone Zaza and Southampton hit man Graziano Pelle, who has been selected for this month’s European Qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
The 29-year old former Feyenoord striker has started his life on the English south coast in wonderful fashion by banging in five goals in his first eight matches and the goals he scored are top draw including a stunning overhead kick against Queen’s Park Rangers that is already being considered one of the contenders for goal of the season contender.
According to Conte, Pelle’s form is no flash in the pan. He scored 50 goals in two seasons for Feyenoord and has made the change to one of the toughest leagues in the world look like a cakewalk. The Saints, tipped to be relegation contenders after a managerial and player exodus, have found a new lease of life under Ronald Koeman who was instrumental in bringing Graziano Pelle to England and the tall, well-built striker has repaid him immensely and his work rate has found a new admirer in the form of the Italian national team boss.
Even at the age of 29 Pelle will benefit immensely coming under the tutelage of a seasoned campaigner like Antonio Conte. Although much hard work needs to be done and there is still a long way to go, even at this early stage of a new era in Azzurri management, it can be said that under the watchful and disciplined eyes of Conte, Italian football is in good hands and Euro 2016 will oversee a new Italian renaissance in France.
The Italy manager has again showed belief in his own instincts and principles, leaving out Mario Balotelli for the October qualifiers, as he tries out new personalities to make the Italy national squad as diverse and flexible for a fruitful future. On both the selection of Graziano Pelle and the omission of Mario Balotelli the Italy boss has spoken his mind and he gave the media no chance to speculate unnecessarily about the Liverpool man’s omission.
On Pelle, he said:
“Graziano represents what I have always said. Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player that in two years has scored 50 goals. Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League after an adventure in Holland. I am curious to see him from close range in order to understand if he can help us. He deserved this call-up from all points of view.”
On Balotelli’s omission from the squad for the double header at home against Azerbaijan and away to Malta, the boss had this to say:
“Mario has started a new path. It’s not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool. We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad. I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different.”
How clearer can a national team manager be regarding his selections and omissions? Definitely no complications whatsoever when it comes to Antonio Conte.
