The disorganized and tired Azzurri lay an egg

Well I am seething at another Azzurri exit in the World Cup. Where do I start? Prandelli just quit and so did Abete. Good riddance to both. I was so positive about Prandelli after the Lippi disaster in 2010. He brought in the fantasistas in Cassano and Rossi. Balotelli would join after a year. We were on the right track up to Euro 2012. Misfortune had followed with Cassano needing heart surgery and Rossi needing two knee surgeries. They went to the Euro 2012 final which was justly deserved. Right after that, Prandelli got the Italian manager disease known as arrogance. He decided he didn't need Cassano anymore. All his attention would be on Juventus and of course Balotelli. 

Basing all your hope on a 23 year old who showed the maturity of a spoiled brat was a disaster waiting to happen. Balotelli had become unproductive both with Manchester City and then with Milan. His efforts seemed to be more aligned with getting attention at all costs as he tried to make people forget his performances by his off the field antics. 

I am unsure what Prandelli was watching all those times he was in the stands. He seemed to be more interested in being seen than actually watching players play.  Italy needed just a win against weak opposition in their final two qualification games not to find themselves in a group of death. However, Prandelli decided to experiment and Italy became a non-seeded team.

Finally when he arrived at the world cup Prandelli went into Dr Frankenstein experimental mode as he created some lineups with people that never played with each other. After two years of being banned Prandelli threw in Cassano at critical times when he needed a goal. The same Cassano who was not even invited to a friendly to see if there was any chemistry with other strikers. Francesco Totti who might turn out to be the leading scorer in Seria A history showed interest in playing again for the Azzurri but was snubbed by Dr Prandelli. Ciro Immobile the leading goal scorer in Seria A this year was finally allowed  to play a friendly with Italy. Today he was thrown in to partner Balotelli  in the final game versus Uruguay even though they had never played together. Another young striker Destro was hastily cast aside even though he scored virtually every game he played this year. Rossi the Italo American was not invited even though he had needed striking skills. Lorenzo Insigne who sat on the bench most of the year at Napoli was invited. Makes sense? Now for my player ratings of this World Cup:

Gianluigi Buffon  Juventus, Goalkeeper, 36  Buffon has been there done that maybe too often. It is time to hang em up. There is only one Dino Zoff. Buffon was ok but the game saving stop was not there. Do we really need to wait before Gigi starts playing like Casillas?

Salvatore Sirigu  Paris Saint-Germain, Goalkeeper, 27  He was spectacular against Ireland  in a friendly and against England. He is a suitable replacement for Buffon. Mirante may challenge him.

Mattia Perin  Genoa, Goalkeeper, 21   Has really proven nothing so far. Time will tell.

Giorgio Chiellini  Juventus, Defender, 29  He has again failed to deliver in a tournament. Made many mental mistakes but he tried. At least he didn't get injured this tournament. I guess it took Cannavaro and Materazzi many kicks at the can before they got their world cup. I just think something is missing to make Chiellini a champ.

Andrea Barzagli  Juventus, Defender, 33  Too old for any future  tournaments. He played well but his lack of pace showed.

Ignazio Abate  Milan, Defender, 27  Awful versus Costa Rica. Oft injured during the year, he proved nothing this tournament. One of the worst crossers and defenders in Azzurri history. He didn't even show pace this time.

Mattia De Sciglio  Milan, Defender, 21  Yup another injury prone defender. Only 21 he has great potential but very inexperienced and unsure of himself. Unfair to throw him in against Uruguay. The potential is obvious.

Gabriel Paletta  Parma, Defender, 28  He did not look very good against England. Another Prandelli birdbrain move. He had never played for the Azzurri then he starts versus England ahead of Bonucci. He was responsible for the England goal.

Leonardo Bonucci  Juventus, Defender, 27  In his prime he may be the catalyst of the italian defence. Unfortunately Prandelli didn't think so and he only played him today. He was mostly invisible but solid.

Matteo Darmian  Torino, Defender, 24 Had no idea who he was, has almost never played for Italy. He played well against England but his play started to retrogress after. I think the heat and inexperience got to him.

Andrea Pirlo  Juventus, Midfielder, 35  Sadly, Pirlo's last tournament for Italy. He was outstanding against England but then his legs seemed to get the better of him. He was constantly man-marked but a younger Pirlo would have thought of doing something. The last two games he was constantly rushed and even lost the ball on several occasions. Thanks for the memories but no one can play forever.

Daniele De Rossi  Roma, Midfielder, 30  Another champ from 2006, De Rossi also played well against England but was terrible against Costa Rica. Apparently injured he did not play today. He could still contribute for the Azzurri at his age.

Claudio Marchisio  Juventus, Midfielder, 28 Had a great game against England and scored. Then... Atrocious against Costa Rica. Someone who is supposedly in his prime he had to be subbed because of the heat. Today unfortunately the invisible man became visible at the worst time. I did not think that was a red card but previous to that Marchisio was invisible again.

Alberto Aquilani  Fiorentina, Midfielder, 29  He has played well in the past for the Azzurri, but Prandelli did not give him a minute of action. Today he should have been put in instead of Motta.

Thiago Motta  Paris Saint-Germain, Midfielder, 31  Was awful in all three games. Braindead move by Prandelli to play him against Costa Rica instead of Verratti. Another idiotic sub today to replace Verratti. With a man down, you don't put in a slowpoke. 

Antonio Candreva  Lazio, Midfielder, 27  After a great game against England the wheels fell off against Costa Rica. At 27 having the heat get to you is pathetic. 

Marco Verratti  Paris Saint-Germain, Midfielder, 21  Pirlo's understudy he may be ready for prime-time. Physically small, he has good passing skills. He was superb against England and today against Uruguay as well. Let us hope he will develop into Pirlo 2.

Marco Parolo  Parma, Midfielder, 29  Was pretty invisible in his appearances.

Antonio Cassano  Parma, Forward, 31  Prandelli's treatment of Fantonio deserved a sacking all by itself. Read the top of my blog on how Cassano has been mistreated. Against Costa Rica and Uruguay Cassano was thrown into the fire in the second half with a team that seemed incapable of moving its legs. Cassano did not produce because he simply did not have anyone to pass to.

Mario Balotelli  Milan, Forward, 23  Big disappointment with Milan all year and now with the Azzurri. He has been pampered way too long without delivering the goods. The natural instincts of a striker are missing and his low percentage strikes from midfield are just that a once in a blue moon goal. If someone gives him a perfect cross he might head one in. I doubt he will be the first choice striker for Italy anytime soon. His obvious physical strengths do not mean that he can score consistently. No Messi or Ronaldo or Neymar, not even a Robben or Benzema.

Alessio Cerci  Torino, Forward, 26  He had twenty minutes of action. No way to prove anything.

Lorenzo Insigne  Napoli, Forward, 23  Supposed to be the next one even though he barely played for Napoli this year. I did not think he deserved to be selected and in his one appearance he played the same way he did at Napoli making poor choices in passing and shooting and even worse he was constantly offside. 

Ciro Immobile  Torino, Forward, 24  Has all the skills and led Seria A in scoring this year. I blame Prandelli for not inviting him to play with the Azzurri during all of last year except for a few minutes in a friendly. Needs time to gel with his azzurri mates