Italy vs Sweden - preview

VS

- Latest events

ITALY

·         They were one of the good surprises of the first round of games, with a great win against Belgium where Italy was clearly the best team.  

·         Conte proved us once more that he is one differential factor, and that he can make any team competitive.   

·         A win against Sweden will qualify Italy, in a unprecedented secure and quick successful group stage

SWEDEN

·         Sweden was a bit stunned by Ireland’s first half, but Hamren turned things around and Sweden ended that game on a high.  

·         The draw means that the next two games gain an extra importance, but Sweden has Zlatan, and that is a big help.     

·         If Ibracadabra can keep his level, Sweden can try and break Italy’s steel back line.   

- Areas to follow

ITALY

·         Defense

Years and years playing together make a difference, especially when the other teams rarely have the chance of doing that. Conte has Juve’s defense at their disposal, and he surely uses them. The result was a fantastic display of defending and counter and a great win that almost guarantees qualification.

·         Midfield

Giaccherini was the perfect example of what Italian midfielders are told to do in the pitch. Try to break lines with late runs, using the movement from Pelle and Eder to find spaces. That was the goal was born, and other chances came after, while they were battling – and winning – the Belgium midfielders.

·         Attack

Pelle. One name that has been said over and over again, a player that was maybe the best in the first round. He did a fantastic game, being a nuisance to all four Belgium defenders with his fight and will. He missed a couple of chances, but ended up being rewarded in the last minute. Fully deserved.

             

SWEDEN

·            Defense

It wasn’t the best of games, from the Swede backline, as they couldn’t really deal with the speed of Long and Walters. The first half was particularly poor, but Hamren corrected positioning at half time and ended up with nothing to worry from his defenders.

·             Midfield

It wasn’t until Zlatan started playing a bit near them that Sweden regained control of the game, as Kallstrom had a very bad performance, unable to create and hardly dealing with defensive issues. With Zlatan they had the number advantage, and everything went better

·             Attack

Zlatan did a good game, even though he wasn’t that much involved in the first half. As referred, it wasn’t until he tried to break the lines, playing between Irish’s defense and midfield, and it was from there that he could create the draw goal.

- FIL’S VERDICT

It promises to be a good match, with Sweden in need of a win, and Italy salivating with the possibility of playing in counter for the rest of the tournament. Against Belgium they were superb, completing tearing down the likes of Hazard, Lukaku or De Bruyne, and you’d feel that if they can do that to those 3.

 Unfortunately for Conte’s team, there are no two equal games, but as long as they are able to take Zlatan out of the game, they can get success. Don’t expect Italy to be overloading at any time, unless they end up being behind

It’s Sweden who has to attack, but due to their limitations, they have to be more effective. And keeping an eye on Italian counters is essential. 

           FIL’S PREDICTION

ITALY 2-2 SWEDEN