Italy TEAMs

ITALIA TEAMS

Coach Marcello Lippi and Italy cruised through qualifying without a blemish, but with a roster that's still in flux and packed with aging stars, it's not going to be easy to win a second straight Cup title

World-Aging Italy look only outside bets to win again
MILAN, May 20 (Reuters) - Italy will have to pull off an even bigger surprise than four years ago if the Azzurri are to successfully defend their World Cup title in South Africa.

Marcello Lippi's side were unbeaten in qualifying but failed to consistently shine, with ageing World Cup winners struggling to live up to their billing.

Good young players in Serie A are few and far between, meaning Lippi has had difficulty finding the right mix between experience and youthful energy and that could count against them during the June 11-July 11 tournament.

However, the 62-year-old manager is still very excited.

"I can't wait to enter into that whirlwind of emotion. I can't wait to look my lads in the eye," he told reporters.

Italy's starting line-up is not even confirmed with Lippi trying various formations.

Gianluigi Buffon will again be the goalkeeper but injury and Juventus's poor form have reduced his confidence.

The defence is much shakier than in past years with captain Fabio Cannavaro much more error-prone at 36 than he was when gloriously leading his side to victory at Germany 2006.

Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo look secure in midfield and, despite injuries, Juve pair Mauro Camoranesi and Claudio Marchisio seem to be the best bet for the flanks even if Marchisio is not left-footed.

Alberto Gilardino, the top scorer in qualifying, is set to lead the line but his partner up front has yet to be decided.

Vincenzo Iaquinta was in pole position but injury has limited his recent effectiveness meaning Serie A top scorer Antonio Di Natale and a selection of others could come into the running.

Italy's displays in qualifying were dominated by slow buildup play and recent friendlies have bored sparse crowds.

On the other hand a relatively easy Group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia suggests they should make the knockout stages where their international pedigree will be very useful.

As in 2006, when the players bonded in adversity, Italy again enter the tournament with a Serie A match-fixing scandal developing.

World-Factbox on defending champions Italy

May 20 (Reuters) - Factbox on Italy who are in Group F at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: Blue shirts, blue shorts and socks.

Nickname: Azzurri (the Blues)

Previous World Cup appearances: 16: 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006

Best World Cup performance: Winners, 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006

Coach: Marcello Lippi

Most capped player: Fabio Cannavaro 132

Top goalscorer: Luigi Riva 35

Talking points:

World Cup winner Lippi has struggled to blend the experience of his 2006-winning side with youthful exuberance and few fans genuinely believe they can successfully defend their title.

Forwards Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli have been continually overlooked because of their "bad boy" images while a reliance on Juventus players after their poor season could dog Lippi, although he has refused to recall Alessandro Del Piero.

Player to watch:

Daniele De Rossi has come of age since 2006 and after AS Roma's stunning season the dynamic midfielder will be on a high with tackles and outrageous long shots bound to be flying in.

Official Italy Squad - Giuseppe Rossi Left Out
Italy have named their final squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Marcello Lippi released his provisional 30-man squad in early May and has since let go of Juventus duo Fabio Grosso and Antonio Candreva. The Azzurri tactician has now released five more players, to fine tune his final 23-man World Cup squad.

The unlucky players who will miss out on the high-profile tournament are Salvatore Sirigu, Mattia Cassani, Andrea Cossu, Marco Borriello and Giuseppe Rossi.

Mauro Camoranesi suffered a late injury this afternoon, but was still included in the squad. The Italo-Argentine said, "I felt a tweak in my knee. I hope it is nothing serious." The midfielder is expected to recover in time for the Azzurri's opening group stage clash with Paraguay on June 14.

The Azzurri won the tournament in 2006, but after a dreadful showing in last year's Confederations Cup, many have doubts as to whether they will be able to defend their crown.

Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers    -
Gianluigi Buffon    Juventus
Morgan De Sanctis    Napoli
Federico Marchetti    Cagliari
Defenders    -
Fabio Cannavaro    Juventus
Giorgio Chiellini    Juventus
Gianluca Zambrotta    Milan
Domenico Criscito    Genoa
Christian Maggio    Napoli
Salvatore Bocchetti    Genoa
Leonardi Bonucci    Bari
Midfielders    -
Gennaro Gattuso    AC Milan
Andrea Pirlo    AC Milan
Mauro Camoranesi    Juventus
Daniele De Rossi    Roma
Angelo Palombo  
Simone Pepe    Udinese
Riccardo Montolivo    Fiorentina
Claudio Marchisio    Juventus
Forwards    -
Alberto Gilardino    Fiorentina
Vincenzo Iaquinta    Juventus
Antonio Di Natale    Udinese
Fabio Quagliarella    Napoli
Giampaolo Pazzini    Sampdoria

Trainer
Marcello Lippi    Played   
Goalkeeper
1    Gianluigi Buffon
14    Morgan De Sanctis   
12    Federico Marchetti   
Defender
5    Fabio Cannavaro  
19    Gianluca Zambrotta  
2    Christian Maggio   
4    Giorgio Chiellini  
3    Domenico Criscito   
13    Salvatore Bocchetti   
23    Leonardo Bonucci   
Midfielder
8    Gennaro Gattuso  
21    Andrea Pirlo  
16    Mauro Camoranesi
6    Daniele De Rossi  
17    Angelo Palombo   
7    Simone Pepe  
22    Riccardo Montolivo 
15    Claudio Marchisio   
Forward
11    Alberto Gilardino 
9    Vincenzo Iaquinta  
10    Antonio Di Natale 
20    Giampaolo Pazzini  
18    Fabio Quagliarella