Prandelli's dream: 7 formations for 7 matches

SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has a dream. A tactical dream.

The studious Azzurri manager would like to use seven different formations in seven matches at next year's World Cup — if only he could.

Already known for varying his lineups, Prandelli was asked about the possibility Saturday ahead of Italy's third-place game at the Confederations Cup against Uruguay.

"In Italy I would be arrested. But it would be a dream," Prandelli said with a laugh. "That's football. You've got to maintain your philosophy of the game but you need to prepare for the opponent, not to defend but to attack. ... But in Italy we're probably not ready for that yet because it would be a bit difficult."

Not least because playing seven matches would mean reaching the final.

In this tournament, Prandelli changed from the traditional four-man defense to a three-man backline to face World Cup holder Spain, allowing him to flood the midfield with an extra man and contain Spain's passing wizards.

At halftime of the semifinal — which Spain won 7-6 on penalties following a 0-0 draw result after extra time — Prandelli pulled out another tactical trick, moving Daniele De Rossi back to central defense and adding another attacking player in Riccardo Montolivo.

"I would like to talk more about the tactical aspect because everyone has their own way of interpreting a match," Prandelli said. "I read a lot of opinions, some I shared some not. It's great to compare.

"Spain plays very patiently but not very deep. So they have eight players who don't give you any reference points," Prandelli said.

Italy was most impressive in the first half against Spain, often running through Spanish defenders in full-pitch sweeps that took a matter of seconds.

"We all need to understand the difference between (solo) counterattacks and studied breakaways," Prandelli said. "A counterattack is when you start off with the ball alone. But when you strike back with five men and four passes like we were doing it's something planned."

It's a long way from the "catenaccio" or lockdown defense that Italy was once known for, and former Azzurri coach Arrigo Sacchi has taken note.

"Cesare Prandelli has given this squad a clear and modern identity," Sacchi wrote in an editorial in the Gazzetta dello Sport published Saturday. "It hasn't happened often that the national team is a superior reference point than the clubs.

"The Azzurri don't leave the initiative to their opponents," Sacchi added. "They don't close down and rely mostly on counterattacks and long passes and they don't leave the strikers isolated. ... The play is born of his tactical ideas, which multiplies the options for the players."