Italy are in Group F and will play Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. This is the Italian squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.
First 11
GK. Gianluigi Buffon, Club- Juventus, Age at World Cup (AWC) 32.
RB. Mattia Cassani, Club- Palermo, (AWC) 23.
CB. Alessandro Nesta, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 34.
CB. Fabio Cannavaro, Club- Juventus, (AWC) 36.
LB. Giorgio Chellini, Club- Juventus, (AWC) 25.
CDM. Daniele De Rossi, Club- Roma, (AWC) 26.
CM. Andrea Pirlo, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 31.
RW. Simone Pepe, Club- Udinese, (AWC) 26.
LW. Pasquale Foggia, Club- Lazio, (AWC) 27.
ST. Alberto Gilardino, Club- Fiorentina, (AWC) 27.
ST. Luca Toni, Club- Roma, (AWC) 33.
Subs
GK. Federico Marchetti, Club- Cagliari, (AWC) 27.
GK. Christian Abbiati, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 32.
RB. Gianluca Zambrotta, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 33.
CB. Alessandro Gamberini, Club- Fiorentina, (AWC) 28.
CB. Salvatore Bochetti, Club- Genoa, (AWC) 23.
LB. Manuel Pasqual, Club- Fiorentina, (AWC) 28.
CDM. Angelo Palombo, Club- Sampdoria, (AWC) 28.
CDM. Gernaro Gattuso, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 32.
RM. Mauro Camoranesi, Club- Juventus, (AWC) 33.
LM. Riccardo Montolivo, Club- Fiorentina, (AWC) 25.
ST. Antonio Di Natale, Club- Udinese, (AWC) 32.
ST. Giampaolo Pazzini, Club- Sampdoria, (AWC) 25.
Agree with my selections?
The Coach
Italy are coached by Marcello Lippi. Before coaching Italy (in his first stint as the national team coach) between 2004 and 2006 and wining the World Cup, over nineteen years Lippi was coach of various club sides in Italy winning five Serie A titles, four Italian Supercup, one Champions League, one UEFA supercup and Intercontinental Cup. In 2008 Lippi was reappointed as the Italian coach to help Italy win back to back World Cups.
Italy's Strengths
In Buffon Italy have arguably got the best goalkeeper in the world. Italy are also strong down the rest of the spine with experienced players in every position.
Italy's Weakness
Italy are weak on both of their flanks, especially the left side.
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