Italy coach Marcello Lippi is reportedly considering changing his team formation against the Czech Republic Thursday to move AS Roma star Francesco Totti into a less tiring and more dangerous role.
Lippi may play Totti further forward than his usual position in the hole between midfield and attack, tucking him just behind a single centre-forward instead, according to the sports press here.
This would entail switching from the 4-3-1-2 formation used for most of the World Cup qualification campaign, in favour of a new 4-4-1-1. Totti is considered Italy's best player, but he is still not 100% after breaking his leg in February. He was substituted in Italy's first two World Cup games, against Ghana (2-0) and the USA (1-1).
The logic is that, by relieving Totti of his duties in midfield, the more advanced position would be less physically demanding on a player who is not fully fit - and it would put the Roma man within striking distance of the Czech goal. Totti is a remarkably talented footballer, who can act both as a playmaker-cum-forward or an out-and-out striker.
The change of formation would mean Gennaro Gattuso and Mauro Camoranesi would regain starting places in a four-man midfield, alongside Andrea Pirlo and Simone Perrotta. Daniele de Rossi, who started in midfield against the USA but was sent off, will be suspended for the Czech Republic game and probably many more.
One of the first-choice forwards would have to be sacrificed. Lippi will probably field AC Milan's Alberto Gilardino as the lone striker, if he opts for a 4-4-1-1, and drop Fiorentina frontman Luca Toni. Pundits believe that, while it is slightly unusual for an Italy team to base its approach on the needs of a single player, the Azzurri squad would accept a formation change because they know how important Totti is.
"The players recognize that Totti can make the difference for Italy, that the team needs him if it is to go all the way in the competition," said La Gazzetta dello Sport correspondent Massimo Cecchini. Lippi has prided himself on making Italy play an attacking style since taking over two years ago though, so his main doubt is that dropping a striker may smack of taking
a step back.
On Tuesday Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro voted in favour of sticking with the 4-3-1-2 that "has given us so many sources of satisfaction over the last two years". But some would say he then contradicted himself by suggesting the Azzurri should revert to their traditionally defensive style.
"We have to rediscover our DNA, return to our origins and play the part of the cynical Italians," the Juventus defender added. "Who knows how much we would have won if we had used some of the tricks of our school of soccer? I'm thinking of
the 2000 European Championships.
"In my debut at Wembley (against England in 1997) we won 1-0 with just one shot on goal, by (Gianfranco) Zola". Whichever formation Lippi goes for, he is likely to drop right-back Cristian Zaccardo, who played poorly and scored an own goal against the USA.
The coach will either do a straight switch, with Lazio's Massimo Oddo taking Zaccardo's place, or move Gianluigi Zambrotta across from the other flank and use Fabio Grosso at left-back. A draw with the Czech Republic will be enough for Italy
to qualify for the next round, but the Azzurri must win to be sure of finishing top of the group and avoiding World Cup
favourites Brazil.
