SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Italy train ahead of their World Cup clash with New Zealand

Record ID: 455948

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Italy train ahead of their World Cup clash with New Zealand
  • Date: 18th June 2010
  • Summary: PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 19, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOUTHDOWNS COLLEGE - PRETORIA SPORT COMPLEX WITH ITALIAN BANNER AND ITALIAN FLAG VARIOUS OF ITALIAN COACH MARCELLO LIPPI PREPARING THE TRAINING VARIOUS OF ITALIAN PLAYERS,ALBERTO GILARDINO,ANTONIO DI NATALE AND ANGELO PALOMBO ARRIVING ON THE TRAINING PITCH ITALIAN COACH, MARCELLO LIPPI DRIBBLING THE BALL ITALIAN PLAYER DANIELE DE ROSSI ARRIVING ON THE TRAINING PITCH GENERAL VIEW OF ITALIANS PLAYERS ARRIVING ON THE TRAINING PITCH ITALIAN GOALKEEPER FEDERICO MARCHETTI RUNNING ONTO THE TRAINING PITCH ITALIAN PLAYERS DANIELE DE ROSSI AND RICCARDO MONTOLIVO DRIBBLING ITALIAN PLAYER GIANLUCA ZAMBROTA BOUNCING THE BALL OFF MAURO CAMORANESI's HEAD VARIOUS OF MARCELLO LIPPI TALKING WITH HIS PLAYERS VARIOUS OF ITALIAN TEAM RUNNING ON THE TRAINING PITCH ITALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER TAKEN PICTURES ITALIAN PLAYERS RUNNING ON THE TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF ITALIAN PLAYERS STRETCHING VARIOUS OF ITALIAN PLAYERS TRAINING
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8SFOUEYOIHMDU2UJSBV2FID7P
  • Story Text: Italy's soccer squad prepared in Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday (June 19) for their World Cup Group F clash against New Zealand on Sunday (June 20).
    The Azzurri's 1-1 draw with Paraguay in Monday's (June 14) group opener was the latest in a series of unconvincing displays and the defending world champions will be taking nothing for granted at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit despite New Zealand's clear inferiority.
    Inexperienced Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti will start following Gianluigi Buffon's back injury, adding to the uncertainty witnessed in the defence against Paraguay.
    The 27-year-old, who sometimes awkwardly punches the ball, has just six caps and has barely played with Italy's back four.
    Forwards Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta were anonymous against Paraguay and coach Marcello Lippi has not ruled out changes, although making an immediate switch is not his way despite Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Di Natale knocking on the door.
    The team will continue to alternate between a 4-4-2 formation and a 4-2-3-1 given that the absence of midfielder Andrea Pirlo limits their creative options, although winger Mauro Camoranesi could come into the side.
    Pirlo is running and kicking after his calf injury but Lippi has all but said he will not face New Zealand. He should return for the final group game against Slovakia on Thursday (June 24).
    New Zealand earned their first point at a World Cup when Winston Reid netted with a header to equalise in injury time of their opening 1-1 draw with Slovakia and Italy are concerned about their opponents' height in the box.
    The holders are also scarred by a 4-3 win over New Zealand in a friendly just before last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, where they were dumped out in the group stage.
    Left back Domenico Criscito, likely to keep his place despite struggling with his crosses on Monday, is also wary.
    New Zealand, who hope vice-captain and midfielder Tim Brown is fit to play after a broken shoulder, will enjoy their moment.
    "We've got nothing to lose, nobody is expecting anything from us," defender Tommy Smith said.
    "We're just going out there to prove to ourselves that we can cope against the top level team."
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