Serie A top goalscorer Rossi is the man Prandelli wants to see alongside AC Milan's Balotelli in Brazil, but the Fiorentina hitman is currently laid low by a flu virus which jeopardises his chances of appearing at the San Siro.
Nevertheless, Prandelli has made it
clear that he is counting on the pair to lead his side's assault on a fifth world title.
"My intention is to see them play
together on Friday," Prandelli said at a news conference. "Rossi is a lad with great human qualities and a great character, which have both been strengthened by his injury.
He can play as the main striker, or just behind.
"Not only is he a good finisher, but he knows how to get the whole team involved well. As for Mario, he's going through one of those tricky spells, but if he has character, these kinds of moments can strengthen you. He's just got to learn to live with the pressure on
his shoulders."
With seven months to go before the
World Cup starts, Prandelli admits he is beginning to settle on his preferred starting XI, or at least the style of play he wishes to employ. That could vary from a 4-4-1-1 to a 4-4-2 formation, but the important element will be a four- man midfield.
"After playing several different styles, we now have a precise idea in our minds," Prandelli said. "When we tried out a wide man in the midfield against Brazil in Geneva, we played well and in
recent games, I tried a different
midfield and we lost something in terms of keeping possession.
"Since we don't have the chance to get together frequently, I had to use the actual games to see where to go, and I think I've understood now."
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