Match Preview : Prandelli targets "crucial" Croatia win

After kicking-off their Euro 2012 campaign with a 3-1 win over Republic of Ireland, a bullish Niko Kranjcar claimed that Croatia could reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

 But to do so, the midfielder and his team-mates will need to get a result against an Italy side that earned renewed respect following the manner of their 1-1 draw against reigning European champions Spain.

 Cesare Prandelli's Italy do not fit the stereotyped catenaccio mould of old. An ultra-defensive approach is almost universally accepted as the best way to counter the slick passing style of the Spaniards and the fact that the Azzurri eschewed the chance to revert to such methods was a clear sign of a commitment to a more progressive style.

 That attacking approach will ask questions of a Croatian defence that were not posed by the counter-attacking tactics from an Irish team of limited talent.

 A midfield hub of Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews does not really compare to the talents of Italy's central trio of Thiago Motta, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo.

 Ahead of Italy's supply-line, Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano - Italy's leading goalscorer in qualifying - led the line in their Group C opener in a 3-5-2 formation. However, it was substitute Antonio Di Natale that scored the crucial goal in Gdansk and Prandelli has hinted that the Udinese striker, who finished as the top Italian scorer in Serie A this season, could start ahead of Balotelli against Croatia. 

"Mario is 21 and he is in the process of maturing," Prandelli said. "All I ask him is to play a simple game without thinking of trying to resolve a game alone. He needs to think of giving depth to our game.

" At the back, Andrea Barzagli is not yet fit enough to make it an all Juventus back three alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, so Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is expected to continue as a makeshift centre-back in a match that Prandelli claims will be decisive in terms of reaching the quarter-finals. 

"The game against Croatia will be the crucial game of the group," Prandelli said. "I expect a very complicated game. Our aim is to win because I reiterate that this is a key match.

" With Croatia's lively front pair of two-goal hero Mario Mandzukic and Nikica Jelavic offering plenty of excitement in attack and Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield it should be a closely fought match. Italy player to watch: Andrea Pirlo.

 Italy may have changed but Pirlo, a veteran of the 2006 World Cup triumph, hasn't. He remains crucial to the midfield and will be the pivot around which the Azzurri rotate.

 He may be 33 years old but his vision, passing ability and coolness on the ball have not diminished as proven when he set up Antonio Di Natale's goal against Spain.

 He's still at the top of his game and after leaving AC Milan to join Juventus in 2011 the Bianconeri promptly won the Serie A title.

 Coincidence? Croatia player to watch: Mario Mandzukic. All eyes will be on the Wolfsburg forward following his brace against Ireland, but goals aren't all that Mandzukic brings to the team. Tucked in on the right of strike partner Nikica Jelavic, the 26-year-old's link-up play provided a constant threat.

 He can also play as an out and out winger and that ability should allow him to fully exploit and space outside Italy's narrow back three.

 Key Battle: Daniele De Rossi v Nikica Jelavic. Roma midfielder De Rossi has been drafted in as a makeshift centre-back-cum-sweeper and passed the test against Spain with flying colours.

 However, he did not have to face up to a recognised striker in Italy's opening match and was afforded plenty of time to bring the ball out from the back. Formidable Croatia No. 9 Nikica Jelavic will pose a different set of problems.

 He is comes to the Euros in top form, having netted 11 goals in all competitions for Everton after leaving Rangers in January and will be eager to get at De Rossi to test him to the full. Trivia: Mario Mandzukic was only the second Croatian to score a brace at the Euros, after Davor Suker, who did so against Denmark at Euro 1996.

 Stats: Croatia have lost just one of their last six meetings against Italy, winning three.

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