The 2010 World Cup is underway and the Italians, playing in the very weak Group F, nearly lost their opener against Paraguay, if not for an errant miscue by the Paraguayan goalkeeper. What was readily apparent about the 2010 edition of the Azzurri is that they came as advertised. They're slower than they were in 2006, when they won it all, and less gifted offensively. While the midfield remains incredibly solid with Daniele De Rossi planted in the middle, captain Fabio Cannavaro looks slow paced, and the starting strikers looked timid. Though he's only 19 years old, the very explosive and skilled Balotelli brings all the key elements that the Italians lack up front. While most claim Super Mario was rightly left off the squad due to his volatile personality, those critics should ask themselves how they might react at 19 with thousands of fans, and opposing players (see the vicious attack AS Roma midfielder Francesco Totti delivered on Super Mario), slinging racial slurs their way. Though it's very early, all I know is that after watching Italy eek out a tie today, I don't care how old or 'volatile' Super Mario is, it sure seems he would've been worth the risk.
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