World Cup 2014 Analysis - Group D: Can Italy Win Its Fifth World Cup in Brazil?

Italy is one of the most historic soccer countries in the world thanks to its four World Cup titles. The team is second only to Brazil in this category and could tie up the Selecao on their turf this summer. But is Italy capable of becoming the first European nation to win the trophy in South American soil?

History

Italy's World Cup history is second only to Brazil. The country has participated in every single tournament except for two; the team did not enter in 1930 and failed to qualify in 1958 when the tournament took placed in Sweden. The Italians have played a total of 83 World Cup matches and have an accumulated record of 45 wins, 21 draws and 17 losses with 138 goals scored and 78 conceded.

The team actually won the first tournament it ever participated in back in 1934 when the nation also hosted the tournament. Four years later, Italy became the first repeat Champion in the tournament's history. In 1950, the team failed to get out of the group stage; Italy repeated the feat four years later.

After missing out on the 1958 tournament, Italy continued its losing ways with ninth place finishes in the 1962 and 1966 iterations of the World Cup. However, the Azzurri bounced back with a second place finish in 1970, only to fall in the group stage four years later. Italy finished fourth in 1978 and won its third title in 1982. Four years later, the team made it to the round of 16 and in 1990 Italy finished in third place on home turf. In 1994, Italy lost to Brazil in the final while in 1998 the national side was eliminated in the quarterfinals. In 2002, the team fell in the round of 16 but in 2006 the Italians overcame France in penalty shots to win the title for a fourth time. In 2010, Italy endured its worst performance at the World Cup as the team finished in 26^th place with two draws and one loss in a group that included Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.

How did they get here?

Italy was one of the first European nations to qualify for the tournament this summer after winning Group B with six wins, four draws and zero losses; Mario Balotelli led Italy in scoring with five goals.

Star players

The Italians are filled with a plethora of major stars; the problem is that most of them are well past their primes. Star goalie Gianluigi Buffon won the cup in 2006 but is 36 years old heading into Brazil. The top defenders Andrea Barzagli (32), Giorgio Chiellini (29) and Christian Maggio (32) are in the late stages of their international careers; other defenders, including Leonardo Bonucci are far younger and could make an impact.

The midfield is also filled with players in their upper 20s; these include Riccardo Montolivo, Claudio Marchisio and Emanuele Giaccherini. Thiago Motta is 32 while Andrea Pirlo, the most important player on the entire team, is 34 and no longer has the pace to likely play a full match. Daniele De Rossi, another major player is 30.

Italy's main offensive threat is Mario Balotelli and at 23 he still has a few tournaments left. The problem with Super Mario is that he is notorious for his lack of discipline and could fail to step up in the big moment.

Can they get out of the group stage?

Manager Cesare Prandelli seems to have this team motivated so Italy should be far more competent in this tournament than four years ago. However, the Azzurri have arguably the toughest group to contend with as England, Uruguay and Costa Rica will provide a challenge. Italy has beaten both England and Uruguay in the last two years so the side should feel confident about its chances against both sides. Expect Italy to finish second or first in the group.

Can they win the tournament?

The team could get a relatively "easy" matchup in the round of 16 depending on where it finishes in the group. The quarterfinals match could be against Brazil if Italy finishes second and manages to get past the group C leader. On the other side of the bracket, Italy may have to play Spain if it wins the group and the Spaniards manage the same feat. If Italy can get past the quarterfinals, then it becomes a major contender to lift the trophy. However, it is unlikely that the Italians get past either threat; the Brazilians made easy work of them in the group stage of the Confederations Cup. Spain struggled in the Confederations Cup with Italy, but should be more than capable of knocking off its European rivals this time around. Expect Italy to fall in the quarterfinals.