Italy vs. San Marino: Friendly International Preview, Team News, Prediction

Italy begin their preparation for the Confederations Cup with a friendly against San Marino at Bologna's Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on June 1.

Cesare Prandelli released a preliminary squad for the prelude to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the initial 31-man squad included several players from the less glamorous sides in Serie A.

Cagliari trio Michael Agazzi, Davide Astori and Marco Sau received call-ups. In addition, Atalanta's Giacomo Bonaventura and Sampdoria's Andrea Poli were called up, and Bologna's veteran striker Alberto Gilardino was recalled.

Prandelli has proved that he will give opportunities to a wide range of players, and the Sau selection is interesting in particular. The Cagliari forward has enjoyed a good season after thriving for Juve Stabia in Serie B two seasons ago.

However, Victor Ibarbo, Thiago Ribeiro and Mauricio Pinilla have all been preferred at times up top by Ivan Pulga for the Isolani, but there is certainly potential, so experimenting in a friendly against a team of such poor quality won't do any harm.

Therefore, Prandelli will have the option of trying various options as he gets ready for a crucial piece of preparation at the World Cup with this summer tournament in Brazil.

Here is what to look out for.

Italy Team News

Mario Balotelli (back) and Stephan El Shaarawy (ankle) have been ruled out for the friendly through injury, denying Prandelli the opportunity to continue to work on a partnership that had been developing for Milan toward the end of last season.

Andrea Barzagli has an Achilles problem, further hampering the Azzurri's options, as revealed by Football Italia.

Roma's Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has been banished for poor discipline after his altercation with the Giallorossi's interim manager Aurelio Andreazzoli at the Coppa Italia final.

History vs. San Marino

Italy have played San Marino just once in their history, and that game was more than 20 years ago.

The Azzurri triumphed in 1992 with a comfortable 4-0 victory thanks to a double from Roberto Baggio and one each from Roberto Donadoni and Pierluigi Casiraghi.

Azzurri fans will expect at least a similar scoreline against the worst team in UEFA's rankings.

One to Watch: Giacomo Bonaventura

Giacomo Bonaventura is going to be an exciting player to keep an eye on, and Prandelli has rightly rewarded the Atalanta player with a call-up to the preliminary Confederations Cup squad after a cracking season for La Dea.

Bonaventura is a wonderful option due to his versatility of playing on either wing or tucked in behind a striker.

Stefano Colantuono has utilised the player all over the pitch, and I expect Prandelli to move him around the pitch against San Marino.

Due to Atalanta's tendency to use a variety of formations, Bonaventura will be able to adapt quickly to this standard, no matter which role is handed to him.

The 23-year-old is one of a number of bright young talents whom Prandelli is bringing through at the right time to flourish at the World Cup in a year's time.

Prediction: Italy 5-0 San Marino

It might be hasty to predict such a wide margin of victory for the Azzurri when we have recently seen Prandelli's side win modestly against another of UEFA's minnows in Malta—especially when there will be a number of substitutes to disrupt the flow of the game.

However, with such an array of creative options for Prandelli to choose from, Italy should not lose the ability to dictate the pace of the game, even when changes are made.

So I expect an impressive victory in a clinical fashion that will provide a wonderful opportunity for a debut goal for Marco Sau.

I also see this as the perfect chance for Sebastian Giovinco to find some form after a frustrating season at Juventus. "Formica Atomica" struggled to hold down a starting place, and with injuries to Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy and Pablo Osvaldo's internal suspension, the Bianconeri forward could thrive in a fluid Italy side.

I also think that Alberto Gilardino will show that he is capable of providing a role off the bench with his vast experience and ability to be alive inside the penalty area.

Despite not being the toughest opposition, San Marino will provide Italy with a great chance to experiment with the side and try out new tactics. It should be an interesting game from that perspective, as several players will be relishing the opportunity to pull on the maglia azzurra.