After a controversial 1-0 loss to Uruguay Tuesday in the Group stages of the World Cup, Italian manager Cesare Prandelli has resigned from his position. His Italian squad came in third in the group after two consecutive losses against Costa Rica and Uruguay.

In 2010, Prandelli replaced Marcelo Lippi as head coach of the Azzurri after the 2006 World Cup. He has since led the Italian squad to a 2nd place finish in Euro 2012 (where they were defeated 4-0 by Spain), and a third place finish in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Prandelli has stated that his resignation is due to “a personal failure” with the Azzurri in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“If your tactical project fails, it’s necessary to take responsibility. Before renewing my contract I was willing to camouflage the problems of Italian football. However, we have become objects of verbal aggression, we have become a sort of political party guilty of stealing money – and this, as well, is a reason for my resignation. We are one of the few national teams that don’t have support from the fans. It’s as if we have to win them over, match-by-match. When we arrived here, we embarrassed you. Insults, and whistles. We are no longer patriotic, we whistle at and insult our players during the national anthem. We need to create a project that teaches respect and values starting from the youth teams.”

On the red card incident:

“That was not a red card in my opinion. We were playing a well balanced game against Uruguay, a team that has got two of the strongest strikers in the world. The referee made that call and ruined the match that both sides were playing because it was not a red.”

On Luis Suarez:

“I didn’t see the images, but I saw the marks on Chiellini. It’s a pity. In football, you should be able to accept it when you lose. But when people make bad choices, it’s hard to comment.”

The headline on one of the most popular Italian newspapers, Gazetta Dello Sport, reads today “No going home; NO!” ahead of Italy’s do-or-die clash against Uruguay, which kicks off at Noon ET/9am PT today.

First the TV news and starting lineups:

• English language: ESPN and WatchESPN
• Spanish language: Univision, Univision Deportes Network and Univision online
• Portuguese language: ESPN Deportes or ESPN Deportes+

Starting lineups:

Uruguay: Muslera; Cáceres, Giménez, Godín, A.Pereira; González, Arévalo Rios, C.Rodríguez, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suárez

Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Darmian, De Sciglio, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli, Immobile.

Referee:

Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

The “Estadio Las Dunas” forecasts rain and slightly lower temperatures than normal (28C) in the city of Natal.

High temperatures across Brazil are one of the culprits for European teams dropping like flies in the South American host country, with England and Spain already having been eliminated, while Portugal and Italy cling for life in their respective groups.

If Uruguay made Brazil cry in the 1950 Maracana final, perhaps they can outwit Italy this afternoon with a 4-3-1-2 expected from manager Tabarez.

With Barzagli and Chiellini set to shut down Suarez and Cavani, perhaps the Italian striker duo will do some damage and secure Italy a ticket to the next round. With Italy needing only a tie or win, the odds aren’t completely stacked against them.

Between 1994-2010, Italy have reached the round of 16 every tournament, except for 2010 in South Africa. They have reached the quarter finals or beyond in 94 (the year of the Roberto Baggio penalty disaster in the final vs. Brazil), 98, and of course 2006, when they were crowned FIFA World Cup Champions.

Uruguay, however, did not qualify for the World Cup in 1994, 1998, or 2006. They were eliminated from the group stages in 2002, and reached the semi-finals in 2010.

The biggest concern for the Azzurri is the major risk Prandelli is taking by starting Balotelli and Immobile together: They have never played together, EVER. Assistant Mauro Tassotti stated yesterday that “Balotelli does not have enough profound knowledge of the game, to play as a single striker. Ciro Immobile is a modern striker, he can play deep, he can play outside of the box, and he helps the team overall, inside and outside of the danger areas, moreover, he has a feel for the the goal.”

To try this out in a life or death match up can mean two things – it can go horribly wrong, to it could be magical for the Azzurri.

SEE MORE — Everything you need to know about the World Cup.

Before, during or after today’s match, join the conversation in the comments section below with fellow soccer fans from around the world.

The Leopards of Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) qualified for the 1974 World Cup held in West Germany.

The former leader of Zaire, president Mobutu, was elected in 1965 after the nation carried out a series of elections. The elections were anything but democratic, as voters had two boxes to choose from. The first one was a “yes” in favor of Mobutu, and the other was a red box, or a “no” for Mobutu, which meant that you and your family would most likely die a very painful death.

Few chose the second option, and those who did didn’t live to tell the story.

In 1971, Mobutu changed the country’s name to Zaire (the river that swallows all rivers) and his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga “The all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, goes from conquest to conquest, leaving fire in his wake.” Yes, seriously.

So he thought a great soccer team would strengthen his rule, and he appointed Yugoslavian coach Zoran Vidinic.

The Leopards, however, ended up playing like kittens, losing 2-0 against Scotland, and 9-0 against Yugoslavia. The Zaire team were humiliated, and Mobutu was furious.

Next came all-mighty Brazil, which brought upon one of the strangest scenes in soccer history. As Brazil was setting up to take a free-kick, defender Mwepu Ilunga ran toward the ball, and launched it into the air.

At this moment, everyone’s thinking “what the hell is wrong with him? Is this team so backward that they don’t even know the rules?”

But they did know the rules. What the referee, and spectators around the world didn’t know was that the Leopards were visited by Mobutu’s officials before the match. Men dressed entirely in black came into the dressing room, and stated, “Everything’s fine if you lose 1-0, or 2-0, or even 3-0 against the Brazilians. But after 3 goals, you can forget about going home, and as for your families, well – you can forget they ever existed.”

The yellow card Mwepu Illunga received for his illegal kick was a sweet alternative to what could have been.

This Saturday we’re going to see the first inner-city UEFA Champions League final when Real Madrid go head to head with Atletico Madrid in the Estadio da Luz, Lisbon.

The Bernabeu museum is aching to put the 10th UEFA Champions League trophy in its cabinet, and perhaps Balon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and tactical mastermind Carlo Ancelotti will finally satiate everybody’s thirst.

Real Madrid has everything in their favor. Historically, they are the right-winged symbol of royalty in Spain – the team supported by the king, literally “real” meaning “royal” in Spanish, a name bestowed upon them. Their fanbase is greater outside of Madrid rather than inside of the city itself, and it is one of the most successful clubs in modern soccer. In the Spanish capital, their fanbase is stereotypically “pijo,” meaning high class, or posh.

Meanwhile, we’ve got their rivals Atletico Madrid, known as “Los Colchoneros,” meaning “Mattress makers” because their kits look like the bottom of a traditional Spanish mattress once you take the bed sheets off. The nickname says it all. Hardly resembling nobility, Atletico is the team of the Spanish working class. It was often said, “if you support Atletico, you enjoy suffering.”

Real Madrid have had some of the most talented teams in footballing history, not to mention a €515 million spending budget this season. Los Blancos are expected to go into the final with a star studded trio (Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo), while Ancelotti is entering his first Champions League final without A.C. Milan, his fourth overall.

Atletico Madrid have done the impossible this season. However, with both Arda Turan injured and Diego Costa doubtful for the starting eleven due to injury complications, Simeone will have a difficult time thinking of a plan B. His proven “día al día” (day by day) tactic may work in his favor since it proved to be successful for the 2014 La Liga title. A Champions League victory (the first for Atletico) would be icing on the cake for an extraordinary project by Diego Simeone. In his own words, “if we have a 1 in 100 chance, we are going to take it.”

The Underdog Complex is something shared not only by sports fans but is a part of the general human condition. Unless you’re a diehard Real Madrid fan, there would be something beautifully poetic about seeing the little guy run the show.

Spain is suffering a damaging economical crisis. And culturally speaking, soccer has always had a great influence on this specific society. Atletico Madrid, led by a man who transmits a Guardiola-like energy to his players, is a symbol of perseverance and unlikely triumph. Yet their neighboring alter ego Real Madrid is the big guy, with a big paycheck, first class players, and a fantastic coach – most definitely having the winning hand.

Statistically, the 2014 Champions League winner is Real Madrid. But we all kind of like a storybook ending, don’t we?

Editor’s note: For viewers in the United States, the game will be televised live on the over-the-air FOX network at 2:45pm ET on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

The final of the 2014 UEFA Champions League, on Saturday May 24, will be the fifth one-country final, and Atletico Madrid’s first Champions League final in history.

Diego “El Cholo” Simeone has singlehandedly transformed a team that was falling behind before his arrival in 2011.  The season before Simeone, Atletico finished 7th in La Liga, and was eliminated from the Copa Del Rey as well as the Europa League in group stages.

Simeone’s philosophy dubbed “Cholismo” is bringing soccer back to its roots by focusing on the idea of “the team” rather than the individualism of star players.

Atletico Madrid does not have a Cristiano Ronaldo or a Lionel Messi. They have a €123 million budget in comparison to rival Real Madrid’s €515 million budget for the 2013-2014 season.

“El Cholo” isn’t going to let financial limitations stop him from winning the 2014 Lisbon final, which he has already proved by winning the 2012 Europa League and Supercup, along with being the new La Liga champions.

So what’s the secret behind the Argentinian’s success?

1 – Inspiration

In Simeone’s official biography titled, “El Efecto Simeone” (The Simeone Effect) by Santi Garcia Bustamente, the Atletico manager states that a successful manager must be able to not only motivate, but wholeheartedly convince his players that they CAN win and WILL win, even with the odds stacked against them.

In the book, Simeone looks back at his time in Argentina with Estudiantes, and refers to a specific example during the 2006 final between Boca and Estudiante.

“I told the fans, whoever doesn’t believe we can play a final with Boca shouldn’t come to the stadium.”

His more challenging obstacle came later, when he had to convince center back Alayes to hold down a faster and significantly more talented Palacio.

“I didn’t know exactly how to go about because I knew the look in his eyes was right. Palacio was way better, but there was no other option. So I took Alayes and said, ‘You’ll get him, you’ll see. Don’t even let him turn around.'”

Alayes ended up playing a fantastic match and Estudiantes became champions after a 23 year long title drought.

When Atletico Madrid reached the UEFA Supercup final in 2012 against Chelsea, the English side was the favorite, but it made no difference to the Atletico coach.

“I needed to convince them that Chelsea wasn’t invincible. If there is a 1 in 100 chance we were going to take it.”

2. Equality

What Simeone looks for in his players is 100% dedication to the collective goals of the team. If everyone is committed to the same idea, you can do big things. If there are cliques or diversions within a group, everything falls apart.

“I always ask my players, what kind of season do you prefer? One where you play all the matches, but you finish lower on the table and out of all major competitions? Or do you prefer to play 20 matches out of a total of 38, score 8 goals, and the team is crowned a champion? It never fails. They always choose the second option. ”

Moreover, Simeone is quick to eliminate any form of “top-player” self-entitlement or superiority. Most teams have their players eat at round tables in groups of 4-5. The players usually sit together based on nationality, interests, or experience and don’t share these specific moments with the rest of the group.

“Everybody at Atletico sits together at a long table. This way, they can’t avoid looking at each other in the face. There are no secrets. Everybody together, everybody talks. This sends a message. “

3. Adaptability

When Simeone was asked about his strategy for the 2013-14 season, he answered, “we are going to do this match-by-match.”

“Match-by-match” means no fixed idea or strategy but rather adapting to changes that come into play. Similarly, Simeone takes the same stance when deciding his starting eleven.

“I don’t want players who want to be the main characters. If you don’t give it your all and I can feel it, someone else will take your place. Nothing is guaranteed, and if you fall asleep, you’re out.”

The Argentinian especially admired the rotation strategy of manager Sven-Goran Erikkson during his playing days at Serie A side Lazio, alongside the talents of Inzaghi, Nesta, Veron, Nedved, and Boksic to name a few.

“It didn’t matter who played, we all knew there was a teammate who would take our place at any given moment and this is how we won the Serie A title for the second time in the club’s history, a Supercopa Italiana, and a European Cup in 1999-2000.”

Above all, what makes Simeone an attractive leader is his character. He is remembered as a hot- tempered yet passionate player who gave it his all in every match, and is now transmitting the same attitude to his players. Although he is a legend at Atletico Madrid, he will be remembered moreso as a coach because of the fantastic legacy he will leave behind.

All quotes translated from El efecto Simeone by Santi Garcia Bustamente