World Cup Qualifying Preview: Italy - Cyprus

Qualification Assured

So Italy have cruised to World Cup qualification with a game to spare, with their defence standing firm throughout the process. At least that is what the Group 8 table reflects. The reality of it was somewhat different. The Azzurri have only managed 15 goals in nine games – less than any other first placed side including the Netherlands, who only played eight matches.

In the group’s opening game, Italy were rescued in Cyprus by an injury time goal from Antonio Di Natale to scrape a 2-1 win. Thirteen months on and it was down to Alberto Gilardino to score the vital goal late in the day against the Republic of Ireland. Moreover, the Italians’ shortcomings were brutally exposed by Brazil both in February’s friendly and in the Confederations Cup this summer.

Marcello Lippi may use the opportunity to test some of his younger players against Cyprus, and he has shown some willingness to refresh his squad by giving cameo roles to the likes of Davide Santon, Salvatore Bocchetti and Domenico Criscito. But are cameo roles enough? Many would argue that Lippi has had ample chances to give playing time to the more inexperienced players and the World Cup is now just eight months away.

Qualification has been achieved, but for a team of Italy’s calibre, it is the bare minimum. The pressure may be off for now, but the real work begins in South Africa.

High On Confidence

Cyprus have shown in this qualification phase that they have improved considerably over recent years, which was amply demonstrated by their 4-1 demolition of Bulgaria at the weekend.

In addition, they only lost by the odd goal to Ireland on both occasions, while they were moments away from holding the Azzurri to a draw in Larnaca. They are likely to finish in fourth place, which would be an improvement from their fifth place finish in the qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup.

Their defensive record is also better than it was during the qualifiers for Euro 2008, where they conceded 24 goals in 12 games. Since two of these games were against San Marino, it was clearly a facet of their game that needed to be improved. Thirteen goals conceded in nine matches this time around suggests that there has been improvement, although there is room for more.

The Cypriots’ confidence will be brimming after their win against Bulgaria, which will have caused many of Europe’s sides to sit up and take notice of the one-time whipping boys. Long-term coach Angelos Anastasiadis will be more positive ahead of the qualifiers for the 2012 European Championships, and will tell his players to enjoy the game on Wednesday night.


FORM GUIDE

Italy

October 10 v Ireland (A) – DREW 2-2 (WCQ)

September 9 v Bulgaria (H) – WON 2-0 (WCQ)

September 5 v Georgia (A) – WON 2-0 (WCQ)

August 12 v Switzerland (A) – DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

June 21 v Brazil (N) – LOST 3-0 (Confederations Cup)

Cyprus

October 10 v Bulgaria (H) – WON 4-1 (WCQ)

September 9 v Montenegro (A) – DREW 1-1 (WCQ)

September 5 v Ireland (H) – LOST 2-1 (WCQ)

August 12 v Albania (A) – LOST 6-1 (Friendly)

June 6 v Montenegro (H) – DREW 2-2 (WCQ)


TEAM NEWS

Italy

Lippi is likely to rest a number of his players for this clash, although Fabio Cannavaro is available after serving a suspension. Gianluigi Buffon is carrying an injury and could be rested.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Marchetti; Santon, Cannavaro, Gamberini, Grosso; Pepe, D’Agostino, Gattuso; Rossi, Gilardino, Quagliarella.

Cyprus

Michalis Konstantinou is a doubt after he did not participate in training on Monday afternoon, but Ioannis Okkas and Elias Charalambous return from suspension.

Probable Starting XI (3-5-2): Avgousti; Christou, Elia, Charalambous; Michael, Dobrasinovic, Makrides, Charalambides, Aloneftis; Okkas, Konstantinou.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Giuseppe Rossi (Italy)

The Villarreal forward hit a hat-trick in a training match on Sunday against Empoli’s youth team, and will hope to stake a claim for a regular starting berth with a good performance against Cyprus.

Ioannis Okkas (Cyprus)

The Cypriot captain returns from suspension and has called for his side to give their best against the Azzurri. With 22 goals to his name, the striker will hope to add to that tally on Wednesday night.


PREDICTION

While Italy may rest a number of their first-choice players, their replacements should be good enough to beat a Cyprus side that are generally poor on their travels.

Italy 2-0 Cyprus

Anthony Wright, Goal.com