Italy v Paraguay

[Phil Neville Superstar]

19:30 BBC1

Italy 21/20 - Draw 11/5 - Paraguay 11/4

TEAM NEWS (SKY SPORTS)

Italy's preparations have been hampered by an untimely injury to Andrea Pirlo, which initially cast his participation into doubt.

The AC Milan midfielder has since been given the all clear to push on with his rehabilitation, but he is still likely to sit out the Azzurri's first two games.

On a more positive note for Marcello Lippi's men, Daniele de Rossi is expected to shake off a minor calf problem in time to make Monday's contest and Mauro Camoranesi is back to full fitness following a knee problem.

Paraguay have had to contend with an injury scare of their own ahead of the tournament, with Oscar Cardozo picking up an ankle knock which threatened to end his World Cup dream.

The hot-shot striker is, however, raring to go and will be looking to transfer his prolific club form at Benfica onto the international stage.

Should he be deemed fit for duty, he is likely to line up alongside Manchester City frontman Roque Santa Cruz in a fearsome forward line.

Could be a dark horse this year, Paraguay. They managed to beat Brazil and Argentina in qualifying!

.................. Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Brazil......... 18 9 7 2 33 11 +22 34
Chile.......... 18 10 3 5 32 22 +10 33
Paraguay.. 18 10 3 5 24 16 +8 33
Argentina. .18 8 4 6 23 20 +3 28
Uruguay.... 18 6 6 6 28 20 +8 24
Ecuador....... 18 6 5 7 22 26 −4 23
Colombia......18 6 5 7 14 18 −4 23
Venezuela... 18 6 4 8 23 29 −6 22
Bolivia......... 18 4 3 11 22 36 −14 15
Peru........... 18 3 4 11 11 34 −23 13

 

[ijjysmith]

Italy vs Paraguay

Wonder how the champions will get on.

Any thoughts?

Looking at their squad there's quite a few I don't know much about.

 

[ijjysmith]

Ha! Snap...except your thread is about 88 times better than mine!

 

[Phil Neville Superstar]

We must have both done them at the same time then!

Delete one mods!

 

[ijjysmith]

We must have both done them at the same time then!

Delete one mods!

Delete mine! It's embarassing compared to this!

 

[BlueTak]

Good thread



I'm pretty sure Italy should win this no problem, would like to see Iaquinta and Pazzini up top together, but that's unlikely to happen.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

I always want the Italians to lose at anything.

 

[Nordecke]

Good thread



I'm pretty sure Italy should win this no problem, would like to see Iaquinta and Pazzini up top together, but that's unlikely to happen.

Dont be to sure of yourself.. Like the OP said, Paraguay was beast during qualification

 

[Phil Neville Superstar]

Chile could be a surprise as well, they came second, and league tables do not lie! Can see them qualifying from Group H alongside Spain.

 

[BlueTak]

Dont be to sure of yourself.. Like the OP said, Paraguay was beast during qualification

I know Paraguay are a decent team, but it's still a team I expect Italy to beat.

 

[Axlswhk]

Am I the only one who holds deep affection for the Azzuri?
Forza Azzuri!!!!

 

[Phil Neville Superstar]

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pepe, Gilardino, Iaquinta

Subs: Marchetti, Maggio, Gattuso, Di Natale, Bocchetti, Camoranesi, Palombo, Quagliarella, Pazzini, Pirlo, Bonucci, De Sanctis


Paraguay: Villar, Bonet, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Morel Rodriguez, Vera, V, Caceres, Riveros, Torres, Haedo Valdez, Barrios

Subs: D, Barreto, Veron, Caniza, J, Caceres, Cardozo, E, Barreto, Santa Cruz, Benitez, Santana, Ortigoza, Gamarra, Bobadilla


Referee: Benito Archundia Tellez (Mexico)

 

[Tommy Chong]

Wow, the italians are f@cking old!

 

[GhostOfDixie]

How proud were those Italians then? Sing it loud and sing it proud.

 

[Goat]

Shut it Mussolini.