Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has had another chance to cast his eye over the peninsula’s finest players this week as he looks to finalise his World Cup squad.
The Azzurri are together for an international break giving the former Fiorentina boss another opportunity to decide who may or may not be in his plans for the tournament itself.
So who will make it on pilot Prandelli’s plane to Brazil then when it finally takes off? Forza Italian Football has a look at the contenders.
The Definites
Barring serious injury, there is no danger of these men losing their spot on the flight:
Gigi Buffon
There is no better goalkeeper in Italy than Buffon despite some of the rather premature concerns leveled his way over the past year or so. He will play at an unbelievable fifth World Cup next summer.
Giorgio Chiellini
Buffon’s Juventus clubmate is assured of his place too with his versatility a vital asset to any coach at a tournament when injuries and suspensions could pile up and he can play his part in a four or three man defence.
Leo Bonucci
A recurring theme but Juventus defence has been the best in Italy for two years so why not fill your defence with the men who have made them do so and the small matter of a World Cup will be no great pressure to a man who once chased down a would be mugger with a gun.
Andrea Barzagli
Yes another Juventus defender but Barzagli, while he may or may not be a certain starter at the Finals itself will be in the squad hoping to help keep the clean sheets that could see the Azzurri win a fifth world title.
Andrea Pirlo
By the time next summer comes around Pirlo may not know where he will be playing his football in the months to come but for June (and hopefully a portion of July) at least, you can rest assured it will be played in South America.
Daniele De Rossi
Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the international side, others often receive heavy praise but ‘DDR’ has been superb for the best part of three years now for Italy and will be packing his curious 1 & 1/2 sleeve blue jersey next summer.
Riccardo Montolivo
His club form throughout this season has been patchy at best as he attempts to adjust to the pressure of being captain of what looks to be a sinking ship but his reputation should see him secure a definite spot, but whether he starts or not remains to be seen.
Mario Balotelli
There may be concerns over his consistency but when he gets it right, see the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany, it shows just why he is a certain starter for Prandelli.
Giuseppe Rossi
He has reclaimed his Azzurri spot and is now the hottest striker in Serie A, regardless of whether he keeps it up or not after Mario Gomez’s return from injury (and he will), Prandelli has saw enough to trust him in Brazil.
The Likely Lads
Federico Marchetti and Salvatore Sirigu
Pending horrible campaigns (and Marchetti is not having the best one at Lazio) this will be the back up to Gigi Buffon when the World Cup rolls around.
Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio
The AC Milan full-back pair will give Prandelli two good options down the right hand side and it will perhaps be a straight shoot out between themselves at the Diavolo this season to see who gets a starting spot should Prandelli use 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1.
Davide Astori
A staple of the Prandelli squads of late even if he is not always a regular starter but a confident showing for his club Cagliari for the remainder of the campaign should book his spot.
Andrea Ranocchia
Looks better this season than he did the last and that could be crucial for him and he will hope to impress enough to secure his place but his spot is shakier than most.
Manuel Pasqual
I have harped on for almost seven years about Pasqual being perhaps the most underrated defender in Serie A and it would be fantastic to see him rewarded with a World Cup berth, he deserves it based on performances.
Claudio Marchisio
Not an assured starter any more at Juventus given the emergence of Paul Pogba but Marchisio is a big favourite of his national boss and it would be a major shock if he were left watching on television.
Emanuele Giaccherini
See above. No longer a certain starter since swapping the banks of the Po for the Wear but nonetheless, he is well loved by Prandelli given how versatile he is and that should see him squeeze on to the plane.
Alessio Cerci
The man is on fire just now and it is often said that players who play well in a World Cup year can get themselves a spot they normally would not but Cerci was fantastic last year too and should be there on merit.
Alessandro Diamanti
The memories of Euro 2012 still linger when the Bologna captain appeared here and there but always made his mark and another good season with the Rossoblu should see him comfortably assured of his place.
Antonio Candreva
He was arguably the Azzurri’s best player at this year’s Confederations Cup and is finally fulfiling the potential everyone knew he possessed and will represent the Aquile with Marchetti in June.
Alberto Gilardino
A World Cup winner in 2006 (and scorer at that tournament) and another fruitful season with Genoa will see him back for another shot at glory next year.
Pablo Osvaldo
The Southampton striker may suffer from not being under the eye of Prandelli each week but he was a key part of the side in qualification and has earned it.
The Dark Horses
Mattia Perin - Unlikely unless injury strikes.
Christian Maggio - A big year with Napoli could do it for him.
Domenico Criscto - Recent recall re-ignited hopes.
Angelo Ogbonna - Not impressing with Juventus at the moment.
Thiago Motta - A return to Italy in January would perhaps help.
Andrea Poli - His club’s poor form could harm chances more than more established players.
Marco Parolo - Playing well but it would be a shock.
Alessandro Florenzi - One of the likelier outside shots.
Lorenzo Insigne - Nailing down certain starter spot at Napoli would be key.
Stephan El Shaarawy - If he can recover from injury and rediscover form then maybe.
Antonio Di Natale - Misfiring at the moment but class is permanent.
Francesco Totti - Dependent on his coming out of retirement but who knows?