What a start to this game, Giaccherini makes a cunt out of Luiz after a lovely ball over the top from Monty and forces a good save. A minute earlier a splendid ball from De Rossi to Osvaldo had him in a good position and now De Rossi with another splendid pass.
2-0 Brazil. Neymar takes the ball on the break and goes on a fantastic incisive run and slides the perfect ball through to Oscar on the break and he calmly slots the ball past Buffon, great goal.
2-0 is very harsh on Italy. We have probably edged this game and have missed some great chances while Brazil took theirs, I am very satisfied with our performance but I am a little worried with our lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, it was a problem at the Euros and it looks like it is continuing. Balotelli and Osvaldo are too similar in style to play up front together, Osvaldo hasn’t done badly but the partnership just doesn’t blend together, after a bright start Giaccherini has faded out of the game. I’d like to Diamanti and El Sharaawy introduced in the second half for Osvaldo and Giaccherini.
A few confirmed changes from the side that played Brazil on Thursday. Osvaldo and De Rossi are suspended and are replaced by El Shaarawy and Marchisio who has overcome a bout of flu which ruled him out of the Brazil game. Abate replaces Maggio at right back. The only question mark will be whether Cerci or Giaccherini gets the starting spot. If Giaccherini plays it will most likely mean a 4-3-1-2 with him playing behind the strikers, if Cerci plays he will start on the right side of attack with SES on the left and Balotelli through the middle. I thought Cerci was mightily impressive against Brazil when he came on and deserves to start but Prandelli is a big fan of Giaccherini.