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The 2014 World Cup gets underway in June with one of the tougher groups looking to be Group D. The group includes four-time World Cup champions, Italy and they are one of the favorites to win the group. Let’s look at Italy’s team and the 2014 World Cup odds for the team.
Italy is a darkhorse to win the World Cup with odds of 28-1. Italy is the co-favorite to win Group D along with Uruguay. Both teams have 2014 World Cup odds of 8-5.
Mario Balotelli
Italy has one of the most exciting scorers in soccer in Mario Balotelli. When he scores the team is a threat to win but when he doesn’t they can struggle. He led Italy to the Euro 2012 final. He scored five goals in qualifying and keep in mind that when he has scored a goal in a match for Italy they have never lost. He has 12 goals in 29 appearances with the team.
Team Notes
Italy is managed by Cesare Prandelli who is known for his excellent tactics and strong discipline. Italy had no problem in qualifying as they really were not tested. Prandelli didn’t take the final two matches seriously and it looked like it might have hurt them in terms of seeding.
Italy has a lot of talent all over the pitch from Balotelli to playmaker Andrea Pirlo to the great Gianluigi Buffon in goal.
Italy has won the World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. They have finished second twice and they have reached the semifinals a total of eight times in 19 World Cups. Four years ago the team was a bust as they didn’t win a game and failed to make it out of the group stage.
The key game for Italy will likely be the one against England as one team will likely advance while the other goes home. Italy has nine wins in the series against England while England has eight wins and the teams have played to seven draws.
Schedule
19 June 2014
England vs. Italy, Arena Amazonia, Manaus
24 June 2014
Italy vs. Costa Rica, Arena Pernambuco, Recife
24 June 2014
Italy vs. Uruguay, Arena das Dunas, Natal
