Italy’s upcoming match against Croatia provides perhaps the sternest test to date of the post-World Cup Azzurri. Under Antonio Conte, the team have begun to rebuild their reputation, putting their dire performances in Brazil firmly behind them.
With three wins in their opening three games, they have enjoyed a fine start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, conceding just one goal thus far. Yet Sunday’s opponents have done even better, recording three clean sheets and sitting above the Azzurri atop the Group H standings.
Former player Nico Kovac watched his side demolish Azerbaijan 6-0 in their last outing, and has them looking very impressive after their own disappointments last summer. Midfielder Luka Modric called his side’s meeting with Italy “the biggest match in qualifying,” per the official UEFA website, and it is hard to argue with that assessment.
Over the following pages is a look at how Conte’s team is expected to line up, the coach once again likely to use his favoured 3-5-2 formation.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1EKjvQs
via IFTTT November 14, 2014 at 05:25AM
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