Italy have arrived at the 20th FIFA World Cup in pretty much the same shape as they did at South Africa 2010, with morale high after qualifying in some style from their group and registering some notable results in the process. There is one notable difference, however. Unlike four years ago, old hands Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo are reunited and raring to go, ready to lead La Squadra Azzurra into battle.
Italy’s hopes of defending their world title at South Africa 2010 were dealt a severe blow before the tournament had even begun when their midfield maestro was ruled out with injury. More bad news was to follow when their legendary keeper had to come off at half-time of their opening match of the competition, playing no further part in it. Shorn of their two figureheads, the Italians crashed out at the first hurdle, collecting just two points from their three games.“We had so much bad luck at the last World Cup, losing our two most important players to injury,” defender Giorgio Chiellini told
“It really had a negative impact on our campaign. But now that we’ve got them fit and firing again, we’re hoping to go much further, even though we’re in a tough group.”
Aside from their importance to Cesare Prandelli’s side on the pitch, the duo’s presence in Brazil also represents a psychological boost for the Italians. After all, the last time Pirlo and Buffon played together at the FIFA World Cup was on 9 July 2006, when Italy beat France on penalties to lift their fourth world title. As well as giving the men in blue an important lift, the appearance of the two old stagers is sure to arouse some unease in England's ranks when the two nations meet in Manaus in Saturday’s Group D opener.
Pirlo and Buffon are our most important players. They’ve got character and they make the whole team play.
(Giorgio Chiellini)
Though eight years have passed since Italy last conquered the world, Pirlo and Buffon are playing just as well as ever, both for their club Juventus and as the leading lights in an Italy side that has recovered some of its old lustre since Prandelli’s arrival in 2010. Runners-up at UEFA EURO 2012, the Italians followed up with third place at the last FIFA Confederations Cup.
“Pirlo and Buffon are our most important players," said Chiellini. "They’ve got character and they make the whole team play, so we need to take good care of them."
That sentiment was also shared by the Juve defender’s international team-mate Claudio Marchisio: “I’ve had the privilege of playing and learning with them, mainly with Pirlo, who’s taught me a lot about positioning. They’ve been the mainstays of this team for the last four years and they’re going to be so important in a competition like this.”
Though eight years have passed since Italy last conquered the world, Pirlo and Buffon are playing just as well as ever, both for their club Juventus and as the leading lights in an Italy side that has recovered some of its old lustre since Prandelli’s arrival in 2010. Runners-up at UEFA EURO 2012, the Italians followed up with third place at the last FIFA Confederations Cup.
“Pirlo and Buffon are our most important players," said Chiellini. "They’ve got character and they make the whole team play, so we need to take good care of them."
That sentiment was also shared by the Juve defender’s international team-mate Claudio Marchisio: “I’ve had the privilege of playing and learning with them, mainly with Pirlo, who’s taught me a lot about positioning. They’ve been the mainstays of this team for the last four years and they’re going to be so important in a competition like this.”