Pragmatism will rule the day for Italy Brazil today

Andrea Dossena will get the start at Left back today and be tasked with controlling the left flank in place of Fabio Grosso.This is purely a pragmatic move by Marcello Lippi who wisely feels that at Grosso's age he cannot sustain the rigors or three games within a seven day period. In the midfield Gennaro Gattuso will also sit in favor of Ricardo Montolivo. Again a move motivated by pragmatism.Gattuso missed most of the Serie A campaign this year with a knee injury and was in no way in top form to contribute to Italy this summer. So in his stead Montolivo will get the start instead of coming on in the last 30 minutes of the game.

Lippi will employ a 4-3-3 or possibly a 4-2-1-3 today with Luca Toni getting the start up front.This tells me Italy will keep 8 and 9 behind the ball giving Toni the target player role.He will be isolated up front to hold up the ball and allow numbers to come forward,or be tasked with beating both Juan and his Center back partner 1v1 or 1v2. Expect long balls and direct style play from Italy today.

I maybe wrong and Italy may play more maneuvered style play but expect allot of counterattacking football if Italy get the first goal. Carlos Dunga and Marcello Lippi both seem cut from the same pragmatic cloth. Probably why i see both men as so wise.

The video below is an example of great maneuvered play.Please turn down the volume on this video.It an get obnoxious quickly.I hate when play by pay guys try to become bigger then the game the are covering.Referees have this problem too.They are barnacles on the ass of the beautiful game.

A breif overview.For Italy to advance it must win and by two goals.The US must tie Egypt 0-0 for Italy to go through on a tie ofits own. Or the US must beat Egypt and Italy can go through on a a tie. If Egypt win 1-0 then Italy must win today 2-0 to advance. A bit of advice.Its the confederations cup.Forget scenarios,dont loose sight of 5 world Cups versus 4 world cups.Its a great match up of pedigree.Enjoy it for that alone.