Keys to Italy Finding Redemption Against Spain in Confederations Cup Semi-Final

Italy will play in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup despite a heavy defeat to hosts Brazil.

The ramifications of that loss were that the Azzurri surrendered the top spot in Group A and will therefore face Spain in the semi-finals in Fortaleza.

So Cesare Prandelli will have the opportunity at vanquishing some demons from last summer's heavy defeat in the final of Euro 2012, a humbling at the hands of the best international team in the world that would have hurt deeply, despite how much success Italy enjoyed in that tournament.

Mistakes were made that night in Kiev, collectively by the team and tactically by the manager too, so it will be fascinating to see whether Italy can give Spain a stiffer test than they did before.

Italy, of course, suffered from a lack of possession, something that Prandelli is unlikely to be able to change tomorrow, even if his plan works to perfection.

La Roja will dominate the ball against every team in the world. Italy's main undoing was their inability to track off-the-ball runs and their tendency to be too static in their set-up.

Italy set up with flat back four and a bank of three midfielders sitting in front of Andrea Pirlo, presumably with the idea of limiting the space in which Spain could play through the middle of the pitch.

The problem was that Italy's mezz'alas—Daniele De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio—were pulled out of position far too often, and that lack of discipline allowed Spain to find space in front and behind Italy's back four at will.

The Christmas tree formation that Prandelli deployed for the most part in this tournament might just be the antidote, though. Sacrificing a strike partner for Mario Balotelli, unlike in last year's final, which was the role of Antonio Cassano, Italy will have the ability of maintaining a midfield three in front of their back four.

De Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo will flank Pirlo in all probability, with Emanuele Giaccherini and Alberto Aquilani or Claudio Marchisio operating just ahead. Both of them will be tasked with offering support to Super Mario and tucking in when the Azzurri lose possession, potentially in wide areas to prevent some of last year's mistakes.

Jordi Alba had a field day against Italy in Kiev, bursting from deep and not being tracked, causing Ignazio Abate to be caught in two minds, to drop deep or step up. Under this current system, Abate and Mattia De Sciglio on the opposite flank for that matter, should prevent Spain from exposing the Azzurri with through balls in behind the wide areas.

Giaccherini will actually strengthen the left side of the pitch with his ability to play out wide, as well as through the middle. With his experience of playing left-back for Italy too, Italy should be extra secure on the left side.

Spain move the ball with great speed, so Italy will need to be quicker and snappier in the tackle in order to disrupt the flow of their tiki-taka style. Giaccherini and the second attacking midfielder will be tasked with closing the space around Xavi and Iniesta in a better fashion than they did at the Euros last season.

The threat of the counter-attack will need to be more prevalent too. Pushing back Jordi Alba could be a key in nullifying Spain's ability to quickly alter the tempo to their attacks and slice open the opposition. This is why Giaccherini can be such a crucial part to Prandelli's game plan for next Thursday's match.

Alongside Balotelli, Giaccherini can offer the option of sending the ball into the channels in order to stretch Spain somewhat. By forcing Sergio Busquets or Javi Martinez to leave their role as the side's pivot, Italy could disrupt the comfort at which Spain sweep the ball around the pitch.

It should be noted that Balotelli is nursing a thigh problem that is thought to potentially put his involvement in the semi-final at risk (per Football Italia), such an absence for the Azzurri would be a crushing blow and potentially scupper any master plan for Prandelli.

Should his absense be confirmed, Italy would be in a spot of bother, as Alberto Gilardino would bring the hold-up play of Balotelli, but none of the mobility, while Stephan El Shaarawy and Sebastian Giovinco offer more of the latter, but none of the former.

Pablo Osvaldo would be a great replacement, but the Roma star was banished from the squad for disciplinary reasons. While Italy are far from a one-man team, the outstanding breakout form from Balotelli in recent months has meant that the side is now beginning to be structured around him, hence any game plan for Spain without him potentially being futile.

Several small mistakes added together ensured Italy's demise a year ago, and Prandelli will know that it is all about carrying out a meticulous approach to get closer to the world champions. Whether correcting these previous faults will even be enough is unsure, but Italy at least have the experience this time around to know how to stand a better chance.