Did you Know?
Barzagli retained his place in the starting lineup throughout the 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign, as Italy qualified for the tournament undefeated, with two matches to spare. On 16 May 2013, Barzagli was named to Prandelli’s 31-man short-list for Italy’s 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad;[91] he was eventually called up to the final 23-man Italy squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil on 3 June,[92] and he went on to appear in three of Italy’s five matches throughout the tournament, starting in Italy’s two opening group wins against Mexico and Japan, whilst he was rested in Italy’s defeat to hosts and eventual champions Brazil; after picking up an injury in the semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat against Spain, he missed Italy’s penalty shoot-out victory over Uruguay in the bronze medal match, which allowed them to finish the tournament in third place, their best ever finish in the Confederations Cup. Barzagli was also named to Prandelli’s 30-man short-list for the 2014 World Cup on 13 May 2014, and he was also later called up as one of Italy’s starting centrebacks for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on 1 June. He appeared in all three of Italy’s group matches throughout the World Cup, also making his 50th cap in the final group match defeat against Uruguay, as they were knocked out in the first round of the tournament with three points.
