Italy vs Saudi Arabia
In so many ways this is an unusual contest.
For here are two nations with such contrasting history, never before in direct opposition.
One has been world champion four times and is a giant of the game, while the other has required a Herculean effort to get this far.
Yet, bizarrely, the country which emerged unscathed from the World Cup qualifiers, the nation which made it to World Cup 2018, is not the one which normally graces the world stage.
Few if any football betting sites would have offered you odds on Saudi Arabia kicking off this summer’s World Cup at the same time as Italy are at home watching on after failing to qualify for the first time in 60 years.
Talking Points
If that isn’t enough of a talking point, Italy have just appointed a new coach. Certainly, all eyes will be on Roberto Mancini to see how he guides the Azzurri in the months ahead.
In his first training session with the Italian national team, he opted for a 3-4-3 formation which suggests he could be attack-minded.
That line-up comprised Lorenzo Insigne, Mario Balotelli and Simone Verdi.
However, with Lazio striker Ciro Immobile withdrawing from the squad with an injury which plagued the end of his domestic season, the chances of that trio starting against the Saudis have increased.
The Swiss city of St. Gallen will host the contest before further friendlies follow against France and Holland, the other big-name absentee from Russia this summer.
It’s quite clear what the remit for Mancini is.
After a staggeringly disappointing qualifying campaign, Euro 2020 is a must for the proud nation. That was made abundantly clear when Mancini was appointed successor to the sacked Giampiero Ventura.
In his first outing as national team boss, Mancini will come up against a player from his era.
A forward like Mancini, Juan Antonio Pizzi won 22 caps for Spain before turning his hand to management. He now takes charge of Saudi Arabia who prepare for only their fifth ever World Cup finals and the first since they reached Germany 2006.
They will also have the honour of being involved in the very first match of the competition on June 14 when they meet hosts Russia in the Luzhniki Stadium, followed by clashes with Uruguay and Egypt.
Only once before has Saudi Arabia made it past the group stages and that was in 1994 when they reached the last 16.
I can still remember watching in awe as the little-known Saeed Al-Owairan ran three-quarters of the length of the pitch to score a wondergoal to defeat Belgium. It was voted best goal of the ’94 World Cup.
Pizzi also has a point to prove.
He was supposed to be at this World Cup with back-to-back Copa America winners Chile but, after being in a qualifying position virtually all the campaign, a last-match defeat to Brazil meant they were eliminated and his time in South America came to an end.
He was quickly back in football employment, appointed in November by which time Fahad Al-Muwallad’s goal had sunk Japan and sealed a Russian roulette after a 12-year absence from the finals.
His teammate Mohammad Al-Sahlawi was their star and had the distinction of finishing joint top-scorer in qualifying with 16 goals.
Could this player, who spent three weeks with Manchester United to sharpen his skills, make the breakthrough to the wider world this summer?
After victories over Algeria and Greece earlier this month, Pizzi has certainly had more time than most managers have with their players a month before a tournament.
Yet, stability doesn’t seem a watch word associated with the national team. Bert van Marwijk guided them through qualifying and was promptly dismissed. Then his successor Edgardo Bauza lasted just five matches before Pizzi was hired.
History
Put simply, there isn’t any.
History will be created when they meet for the very first time.
This, as well as a June 8 friendly against world champions Germany, is part of the preparations to make sure Pizzi’s team are at their peak going into the competition.
What are the odds?
Not surprisingly, Italy are overwhelming favourites, priced 1X2 @ 1.17 with Saudi Arabia a very distant 15.50.
As Mancini’s new men look to show the world what they’re missing this summer, Asian Handicap odds back them -2.00 @ 2.04, and to take control of the first half at -0.75 @ 1.78.
Certainly, goals are expected too as illustrated by Over 2.75 goals @ 2.05 and Total Goal 4-6 @ 3.00.
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