Why Italy must play with youth today to overcome Egypt

Italy must start a younger midfield or suffer the possibility of being run off the park. What you say? Are you insane Pep? Italy fear Egypt? World Champions dont fear Continetal champions.Ha i laugh in your genral direction.

Egypt are African Champions and that means something now.Twenty years ago the title was something to giggle and even sneer at.No longer,what makes Egypt so dangerous is their skill and the pace they choose to play at,combined with a high line of pressure Egypt are formidable.

Hasan Shehata is Egypt's talented manager has his Pharaohs play a high line of pressure at a quick tempo, constantly haranguing the opposition with the idea of forcing turnovers the middle of the park.Giving Egypt the benefit of a shorter field to compete on. Egypt like other Mediterranean nations love to play with the ball,they value possession. The Pharoes have players very comfortable on the ball who can pass with the best of Europe's most talented midfield's.In players like Mohamed Zidan the Azzurri will face those three elements constantly.And like Brazil who seemed underwhelmed by the thoughts of Egypt learned quickly that Egypt cannot be taken lightly.

Ricardo Montolivo of Fiorentina must play today in place of Gennaro Gattuso whom he replaced Monday at the 60th minute.I know that is the most heretical thing an Italian could say.But here is why Riccardo Montolivo must play today. Montolivo is 24, can play at pace, cover more ground and play with Pirlo's ability.So on and off the ball he will make Italy's midfield more formidable. A midfield of Andrea Pirlo (Wisdom,ability and leadership) Combined wit Danielle DeRossi who will replace Gattuso's toughness along with Ricardo Montolivo give us pace,skill and toughness to match and overwhelm Egypt.

The significance of today's game cannot be underestimated. An Italian win means Italy have a better chance of avoiding Spain in the Semi's. A loss and an important Sunday match up with Brazil means Italy will have a much tougher route to navigate.

Being pragmatic also dictates the importance of giving Montolivo more playing time to accrue experience for next years world cup. I hope i see these changes. Mind you i have never won a world cup, so Lippi would probably tell me not to quit my day job. We'll see.