UEFA Euro 2012

Head coach Cesare Prandelli introduced a code of ethics when he took charge of Italy after a disastrous 2010 World Cup.

He has swapped his side around match by match and now he believes he has found the right eleven to ‘give it a go’ in Euro 2012.’

He has name Manchester City’s controversial striker Mario Balotelli as the only Premier League representative in his squad which also includes five uncapped players – Mattia Destro, Emanuele Giaccherini, Ezequiel Schelotto, Marco Verratti and Angelo Ogbonna – the latter two of whom ply their trade in Italy’s Serie ‘B’.

However, there are still several experienced campaigners ready and willing to give their all for Italy, among them, the ageing yet evergreen goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), defenders Cristian Maggio (Napoli), Ignazio Abate (Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Rubin Kazan), Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini (all from Juventus); midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio (both from Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna) and strikers Antonio Cassano (Milan), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) and Fabio Borini (Roma). Balotelli will, it appears, play alongside Cassano.

Unfortunately, despite a fairly good record in the European Championships (one win, two finals, and four semi-finals) this time round I feel that Italy might not even get past then group stage.