To watch Italy overcome World and European champions Spain in their latest friendly was to almost see a team come of age. Since replacing Marcello Lippi in the aftermath of last summers South African disaster, Cesare Prandelli spent little time searching for a style of play. He instantly ended the Azzurri's search for wingers - a wait that surpasses anything penned at the hand of Samuel Beckett - by packing as much play-making talent into midfield as possible and tailoring his forward line to suit the opposition in any given fixture.
This new tactical and philosophical framework has found space for not only Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Aquilani, but one of the most pleasing aspects has been the emergence of Riccardo Montolivo. Having previously stuttered in the famous blue shirt of the national team, the Fiorentina captain has thrived under a coach who previously drew what were undoubtedly the best seasons of his career so far from the Caravaggio-born midfielder.
While some of this was clearly down to the player naturally maturing as he grew older, perhaps their shared history also played a role. Both men began their respective careers - Montolivo as a young player and Prandelli as a novice coach - in the youth sector at Atalanta, widely regarded throughout the peninsula as among the finest centres of development in football. It came as no surprise when, shortly after his appointment as coach of the Viola, the club would raid the Orobici for perhaps their most talented product since Roberto Donadoni.
Over the previous three seasons Montolivo had made 73 appearances for the Bergamo club, netting seven times and it was clear when the club was relegated in 2005 that the future of their increasingly influential play-maker lay elsewhere. His first season in Florence would rarely see him play but, following the departure of Stefano Fiore, he would play a major role in their impressive 2006-07 season, scoring twice and registering five assists. Prandelli's side overcame a 15 point penalty - for the clubs perceived role in the Calciopoli scandal - to gain entry into the UEFA Cup.
The flashes of brilliance became more and more frequent as he grew into his role as orchestrator-in-chief of Fiorentina's attacking play, while also improving his defensive play, as his 2.83 tackles per game last season serves to highlight. That UEFA campaign, in which the Viola reached the Semi-Final - losing on penalties to Rangers - would introduce his deft touch and incredible vision to a wider audience, none more so than with his goal and well taken penalty in the two-legged victory over Everton.
Becoming a full international at aged 22 - and captain of Fiorentina just two years later - in a country who's aversion to young players shows the regard in which he is held. Montolivo proved that, when he is in a well-performing team and given a platform on which to build the play, he can comfortably be the best player on the pitch.
Even over the last two seasons, as Fiorentina struggled he has shown that he possesses all the qualities found in the worlds best midfielders. His pass completion rate - 83.17% last year - is testament to his greatest skill, while his three assists in a side desperately struggling for goals were invaluable as the club struggled to overcome the arrival of Siniša Mihajlović in place of Prandelli.
But generally when the team he plays in struggles, we see a lesser contribution from Montolivo, becoming far more inconsistent possibly because of the added pressure to lead the side. During the 2010 World Cup for example, his passing was uncharacteristically poor - completing just 71.1% - and he would be widely criticised for three dismal showings as Italy crashed out in the group stage.
Now, after refusing to sign a new contract to remain with Fiorentina, he is linked with a move to Milan as one of the countless 'Mister X' candidates. His creativity from midfield would be invaluable in a squad where Massimiliano Allegri has many willing runners - Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Mark van Bommel - but little in the way of invention.
Losing him may have catastrophic consequences for a Fiorentina side already shorn of Adrian Mutu, Gaetano D'Agostino and Sebastien Frey, but adding Riccardo Montolivo may help make this good Milan side great.
