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Amongst all of the teams that are representing their nations at the World Cup, Italy are the second most successful team after hosts Brazil. They have won the World Cup on four occasions till date and their recent success came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.But their illustrious history at the tournament has been constructedon a collective team effort rather than the individual brillianceof one or two players.Italy will be one of the usual suspects to lift the World Cup in Brazil this summer. Andthe biggest threat for their oppositions is being unclear of where the goals can come from. That is one aspect that makes Italy a dangerous proposition. And behind those oppurtunitieswill be individual catalysts, camouflaging themselves inside team play. On that note, we take a look at 5 players who will make an impact at this edition of the World Cup.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here: FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country
#5 Antonio Cassano
Antonio Cassano is one of the experienced campaigners who will definitely lead the attacking line for the Italians. The 31-year-old striker has played for some of the big names in Europe which speaks highly about him as a player. Cassano's selection was mainly due to the fact that apart from being a striker, he can take on the role of an attacking playmaker and provide support while going forward.
In 2006, Cassano was left out of the World Cup roster. He was included by Marcelo Lippi in the 2010 tournament amidst much widespread criticism and Italy's hopeless showing in the group stage did not help his cause. He returned for the 2012 Euro tournament which turned out to be a fruitful experience. Cassano featured in 6 games where he played a crucial role in attack.
The forward from Parma is well known for his intelligence on the ball with skills to outsmart the defender. He also possesses excellent vision with an impressive eye for goal. Apart from being a target man, he provides support to his fellow attackers by holding the ball and connecting the play with precise short passes. Cassano's experience up front will be a key factor in determining Italy's campaign at this World Cup.
#4 Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli's off the field headlines sometimes makes us forget how good he is as a striker. The Milan forward has been selected by manager Prandelli for the big occassion and he will be the man responsible for burying those final balls into the net.
While Italy's defence and midfield are very convincing, it will be interesting to see how many goals they can score at the other end. Over the years, the shrewdness in tactical battles have seen them edge out the close encounters. Italy's resistance to deny their opponents from scoring is second to none. They only believe in getting results regardless of how they do it.
However, Prandelli's tactics infuses attacking football with defensive organisation which allows the likes of Balotelli to enjoy more opportunities in front of goal. He also ended as the team's top-scorer in the qualification stages.
That being said, Balotelli will have to put his concentration in being clinical in front of goal rather than involving himself in heated situations. He is known for his short temper on the field. But as the main striker of his team, Italy's chances of getting positive results in the tournament will largely depend on his performances in Brazil.
#3 Gianluigi Buffon
Appearing for the fifth time as Italy's goalkeeper in the 2014 World Cup, Gianluigi Buffon, once again, will take on the duties of guarding the goal for his nation. As expected, the long time servant of the Azzurris will bear the captain's arm band in Brazil. His motivating presence on the pitch and vocal personality in the dressing room always gives that extra boost to the squad.
Buffon was almost unbreakable in the 2006 World Cup. The Juventus captain put on a series of stunning performances and conceded just 2 goals in the entire competition which is a record in itself. He was one of the vital figures responsible for his nation's glory. Not only is he an insane shot-stopper but his shepherding of the defensive line is what makes his presence so crucial to his team.
With a record number of appearances for his nation, his experience and leadership will be pivotal in defining a strong campaign for the Italians. Even if Italy's defence is breached, they can rely on their 36-year-old skipper to pull them out of trouble when needed.
#2 Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi will be featuring in his third consecutive World Cup for the Italian national side. The midfielder who plays for Roma is one of the handful of survivors from the 2006 World Cup winning squad. Although he played as a substitute in the final, De Rossi missed the knockout rounds through a red card suspension which he picked up in a group match against USA.
In 2010, De Rossi's became a prominent figure in midfield as he ideally replaced Gennaro Gattusso. But Italy followed their triumphant year with a terrible campaign in South Africa as they finished bottom in their group and exited early from the tournament.
De Rossi will have a huge role to play for his side in the centre of the park. Although he prefers to play as a central midfielder, De Rossi is one flexible option that coach Cesare Prandelli can utlilisein multiple areas on the pitch. He can operate beside Andrea Pirlo (his usual role) as an engine midfielder, running back and forth to contribute to both attack and defence. He can also be used as a sweeper who can break up opposition plays and retain ball possession.
He is one player who will selflessly work all over the pitch even though his contributions may go unnoticed. In other words, De Rossi is the guy who every manager would want in his team. As one of the remaining World Cup winners in the squad, De Rossi will certainly know the tricks of the trade in the big games and a lot of Italy's compactness and team shape will rest on his shoulders.
#1 Andrea Pirlo
Try to remember Italy's disastrous campaign in the 2010 World Cup and you will find a definitive answer as to why they suffered an early exit. It was Andrea Pirlo's absence all the way.
The Azzurri playmaker missed the tournament's first two games through injuries and Italy got themselves into big trouble. He came on as a substitute in the second half of their last group game against Slovakia. But even with a renewed offense and his creativity, Italy could not save themselves from being knocked out.
But the situation changed largely in Euro 2012 when a fully operating Andrea Pirlo carried his team to the finals. Rewind yourself eight years back to Italy's World Cup winning campaign. It was Pirlo all over again as his dynamic playmaking and ability to orchestrate game made the team very threatening in attack. He replicated his Milan form for the national side and guided his team to their fourth World Cup glory.
Even at the age of 35, Pirlo is still considered as the best playmaker of the modern game. And coach Cesare Prandelli will bank on his best player to make things happen for the team. The Italian squad just like Juventus, is constructed around Pirlo. The maximum productivity comes from Pirlo's deep lying position where he roams freely on the pitch to collect the pass and distribute it around to his team-mates.
But the Juventus playmaker's biggest trait is his incisive long through balls which can penetrate defences in the blink of an eye and create a chance out of nowhere. This is what makes him so special and we can expect him to be the man who can carry his nation's hopes on his shoulders.
