Uruguay – Italy 30.06.2013

Uruguay and Italy will battle for the third place at the Confederations Cup.

The Italians have a lot of injury worries, meaning that the Uruguayans should be considered favourites in this clash, although the Azzurri should not be written-off.

Having lost to Brazil in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup, Uruguay take on Italy in the bronze-medal clash. La Celeste were on the verge of extra-time in the clash against Brazil, but Paulinho scored the winning goal for the hosts just few minutes before the final whistle. Against injury-plagued Italian side Uruguay are considered favourites, but beating four-time World Cup winners is not an easy task. Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez will once again play up front. Uruguay are surely going into this match fully motivated and they are eager to win the bronze medal, after the team failed to win the third place at the World Cup 2010. Oscar Tabarezˈs men will surely adopt another attack-minded approach, and I believe that the team will score at least two goals on Sunday afternoon. Considering that Uruguay have raised their form of late, I am tempted to back them to win the third place at the Confederations Cup.

After losing to Spain on penalties in the semis of the Confederation Cup Italy will have one last chance to win a medal in Brazil. Italy failed to turn their dominance over 90 minutes into goals, and they were unlucky to beat the Spaniards on penalties. Juventusˈ central back Leonardo Bonucci missed the decisive penalty kick and then Jesus Navas sealed the victory for the Spaniards. Italy now have nothing to lose in the clash for third place against Uruguay, therefore, Cesare Prandelli will adopt an attack-minded approach. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if injury-plagued Italian side is capable of defeating Uruguay, who have been playing excellent of late. Italy have a lot of injury worries ahead of the clash against Uruguay and that should prove fatal for the team. Without Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli in the starting line-up Italy are unlikely to defeat the South Americans, therefore, I will put my money on the in-form Uruguay side.