By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers from an Italian Perspective


Good morning guys, I am all energized and waiting for Italy's match valid for the 2010 World Cup South Africa qualifier.

Here is what's going on today with the Italian National team.

Fifth Day Training in Cyprus  Italian National Team - Saturday, September 6, 2008   

Morning training session in Larnaca, Cyprus

h. 20.45 (21.45 l.t.) 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifier Match

Cyprus - Italy

Referee:  Vink (Holland)
After the match, press conference and return to the Hotel.

                     
        Italy Captain and Defender Fabio Cannavaro and Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi. Photo: AP/LaPresse

This morning the Italian National Team had a light training and make last minute changes.  Supposedly, Lippi was going to use the 4-3-3 formation, instead it seems he is opting for the 4-4-2 formation with the duo strikers of Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino.

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Curiosity was to see whether Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero was going to play or not. Most likely Del Piero will not play today. 

Del Piero trained separately just as he did in Coverciano the day before. I think Lippi should not rush Del Piero for this match and let him recover enough for the second qualifier match against Georgia on September 10 in Udine.

How about using Udinese forwad Antonio Di Natale with Alberto Gilarndino? Though, Lippi seems to prefer Bayern Forward Luca Toni as the sole striker or a duo with either Gila or Di Natale.

By the way guys, Lippi declared in an interview with Raisport that Inter forward Mario Balotelli is not ready for a called up of the Italian National Team yet.  I agree with Lippi that we should not rush Balotelli and let him grow, mature with the Azzurrini until he is ready for the "big guys." 

Wow, it surprised me to hear that Lippi even suggest to avoid calling him "Super Mario or Fenomeno" because that might ruin him. 

I agree, it is too early to start ballooning the ego of a great player. If we want Balotelli to be big, we can support him and let him do his training to build his experience. Don't you think?

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Luca Toni getting another chance after his disastruous performance in the EURO 2008 not scoring a single goal.

One thing I will say, if Luca Toni starts a bad match and waste goal opportunities like he did in the EURO, then, please don't make the mistake of keeping him on the field waiting for the comeback because Italy cannot risk anymore. 

We still have forwards Antonio Di Natale, Vincenzo Iaquinta available and even an injured Del Pieo can do better.  All the best to Luca....

Most likely AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani will start from the bench. 
 
Based on this morning training session, this is the probable formation for the 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifier match Cyprus - Italy: