4-1-3-2 by Cesare Prandelli

Fratelli d'Italia, l'Italia s'e desta... Brother of Italy, Italy woke up... These are the first words of the Italian National Anthem. One country, 4 world cups numerous friends and enemies. But one thing the nobody can deny is the masterclass of Italian Coaches. Excellent in tactics, always extremely well prepared team and above all intelligence and flexibility. The last representative of the big Italian Coaching School is Claudio Cesare Prandelli. An ex player of Juventus, he played under the guidance of legendary Giovanni Trapattoni, winning recognition and trophies. A real fighter, despite he lost his wife in 2007 he continues to have the same desire and ambition for the game. Born in Orzinuovi in 19.8.1957 he was always the most hard working player in every club that he played. Outside of the pitch he is always smiley and humble.

The Italian football federation after two failed choices trusted him till 2014. The immature experiments of Donadoni and the old time classic stubbornness of Lippi are over. Cesare keeps his nose down, he is not selling magic ideas and he is trusting a standard squad. He gives always chances to in-form players but he keeps on mind that Squadra Azzura represents whole nation so he needs to be serious and concentrated on what he does. He never speaks for the past and he rarely comments or compares opponents. Like we said before... humble and hard working. He is trusting mostly young ambitious players and he is not afraid of make them protagonists by giving them responsibilities and tough duties. He is aware of the challenges and he knows to handle with them.

Cesare Prandelli worked in the bankrupted Parma and Venezia, he persuaded Della Valle (Fiorentina's boss) that football is not buy and spend and he persuaded Italian Federation that a "football circle" in a national team is from World Cup to World Cup and not from competition to competition. No doubt, iron willed. Now he needs to make the results to be equally impressive.

In his new Italy, he removed all the problematic players with irrational behavior. Its not code of ethics, it's a matter of professionalism. Balotelli, Cassano, Legrotagglie, Miccoli and others are simply not normal people. They are not able to accept roles, rules and generally they cannot be members of a competitive group. Maybe Cassano has become more mature but he remains an explosive Italian from south Italy. So Prandelli needs to have alternative options.

Giuseppe Rossi, Montolivo, Marchisio, Bonucci, Ranochia and many other players have the chance to be key players in the group and yes, Italy after 3-4 years seems to be a group again. Fancy sun burn tourists are over. Training schedules are organized, team plan is working and generally you see that team is working like a proper top club. Finally...

Prandelli is not a wizard. He is using tight marking, he gives creative freedom in Montolivo, he allows Cassano and Rossi to exchange positions and to swap roles, his back-line is solid, resolute and they play quite simple. The lines are close and you rarely see gaps and his 4-1-3-2 is becoming easily 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1. He has teach this formation exemplary so you hardly can see disorganization in the pitch. Criscito(DL), Bonnuci, Chiellini (DC), Montolivo (DMC/AMC), De Rossi, Marchisio, Mauri or Pirlo are his basic options. Rossi and Cassano upfront. It doesn't seem impressive but what is not popular became after some time top hit. Try and you will not miss.

My results were very good, excellent defense, very solid attack and just to tell you that in 20 games I conceded just 4 goals. In all of my teams, I was rarely conceding goals. I was conceding 1 goal every 7-8 games. That was my record.

Take care, enjoy

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