How Italy Will Line Up Against Bulgaria in Friday's World Cup Quailfier

All the talk here in Italy right now is about who's going to succeed Cesare Prandelli as boss of the Italian national side when the coach steps down in 2014. 

Roberto Mancini and Max Allegri are just two of the high-profile candidates being linked with the post, but Prandelli himself might still have something to say about it all because he's unwilling to commit to a particular course just yet. 

It's probably better to stay focused on the present for Prandelli, because between then and now there's still the matter of guiding the Azzurri through the final World Cup qualifiers and the small task of leading them at the World Cup in Brazil. 

The qualification campaign has been a relatively smooth affair, with 14 points earned. Italy can top Group B with wins over Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, but the manager will know that neither side will be a walkover. 

Against Bulgaria Friday, two of Prandelli's top forwards are unavailable as both Mario Balotelli and Dani Osvaldo are suspended. There are also some injury concerns for the Italians, so a 4-3-2-1 formation looks likeliest. But who line up at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo?  

 

Gianluigi Buffon

Talk about the declining powers of Gianluigi Buffon is greatly exaggerated. The Juventus stopper is still one of the world's best keepers and a massive influence both on and off the pitch for Italy. 

Against Bulgaria, he'll earn his 135th cap for Italy, putting him one shy of his former teammate Fabio Cannavaro's national team record. Gigi is still building form in this early part of the season, and while he struggled at times in recent matches for Juve, he should have more than enough quality to keep a clean sheet in Palermo.

Bulgaria are a solid side that is second in the Group B table with 10 points, but some way off a world-class attacking threat. Captain Ivelin Popov is the team's current highest scorer with just seven goals in his 42 caps. He might also be faced with Valeri Bojinov up front, a player who spent a disappointing loan spell with the Bianconeri back in 2006. 

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Juventus pair Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are among the best centre-back teams in the world and are generally outstanding for both club and country. 

Bonucci, in particular, has looked extremely positive so far for Juve both at the back and going forward. And on his day club teammate Chiellini can offer much the same.

A combination of talent, dedication and an intimate understanding of how their partner plays the game makes them the obvious choice in front of Buffon. Prandelli's decision is made easier by the fact that their Bianconero teammate Andrea Barzagli is out injured. 

Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli

Genoa's Luca Antonelli has been used sparingly by Prandelli since making his debut in 2010, but the 26-year-old left-back is a capable player and, along with Ignazio Abate, will provide some width behind a compact and relatively narrow midfield. 

Abate's pace on the right flank could be crucial for Italy, who will need plenty of service to the lone striker up front. The Milan defender has 14 caps since debuting in 2011 and is looking to lock down the right-back position ahead of next summer's World Cup. 

Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Thiago Motta

Ricardo Montolivo and Claudio Marchisio are out, but no midfield with Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi can be considered lacking. 

The Juve and Roma stars, respectively, are expected to be joined in the middle by Thiago Motta, the Paris Saint-Germain player who's been something of a forgotten man for the Azzurri.

The Brazil-born Motta should make use of the rare start to make his case for inclusion in the 2014 squad that heads to his homeland. His partners in the centre have their tickets booked already. 

De Rossi's fellow Roman, Alessandro Florenzi, and Motta's teammate from Paris, Marco Verratti, could also make an appearance. 

Antonio Candreva and Lorenzo Insigne

Lazio's Antonio Candreva looks certain to start against Bulgaria, hoping to build on his early-season club form to put himself in the long-term plans of his national manager. 

Who joins the pacey Roman behind Italy's lone frontman is still up for debate. 

On the back of a solid Confederations Cup, Sunderland's Emanuele Giaccherini seems like an obvious choice. But Prandelli has a number of younger, potentially better players at his disposal and will know that, should he want them ready for Brazil, they'll need game time to settle in and improve. 

The aforementioned Florenzi regularly plays in an advanced wide role for his club, while Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne can play in the hole to great effect. Both look set for long Azzurri careers, and games like this provide valuable experience. 

Alberto Gilardino

You can't help feel for Alberto Gilardino. The former Milan forward has ended up with a career resembling that of a journeyman rather than the glittering CV a striker of his abilities deserves. 

Balotelli's and Osvaldo's suspension makes the Genoa man the obvious choice to lead the line in Palermo, offering him a rare chance to impress on the international stage. 

At 31, he's far from finished but against Italy's young guns, chances for Gila will be limited. Against Bulgaria, he gets Prandelli's blessing to go and make a case for his continued Azzurri involvement. 

Sampdoria's young Manolo Gabbiadini could also play a role, as could Insigne if the traditional big-man approach doesn't work.