The only difference now is Cannavaro, Zambrotta & Gattuso are all older, slower and not as good. With Pirlo injured, the team’s core is really no longer the same. Luckily for Italy there’s Buffon and then Chiellini (if 100%) and De Rossi. Those 3 might form the new core.

Only problem again is something you rightfully pointed out to Niccolo: No creative force in attack and there’s a clear lack of goals! I think Paraguay game will tell a lot about Italy’s preparations.

But you also have to notice, in the 2006 World Cup, Italy were not the powerhouses, and they weren’t touted as possibles to win it. So we could see a decent run…

I had to look back at some of the previous pieces written on Azzurri & WC 2010 and I think those are 2 other related topics:

http://www.serieatalk.com/how-far-will-italy-go-in-south-africa-2010/1905

http://www.serieatalk.com/italy-23-man-world-cup-squad-announced

What I noted in the article which I wrote (the first one) was high number of votes for Italy to reach semi-final, final & repeat as Champion. Will be interesting how the votes will change after the injuries and unimpressive friendlies.

I agree with what you said about the ease of the group matches. No disrespect to Paraguay, New Zealand or Slovakia. Each can provide a surprise and the Azzurri often struggle against weaker sides or when the opponents are unfancied. I still see Italy through the group stage and then beyond Round of 16 but will lose in QFs.

I originally had Italy in the Semis to finish 3rd but after the team selections and exclusion of G. Rossi (before that not even including Totti) I feel Azzurri cannot score much from set-pieces. In WC 2006, Pirlo was also critical from set-pieces with his corners and free-kicks. Those were very important.

Pirlo is no longer the player he was but WC 2006 final should how effective his delivery can be. Three corners by Pirlo were met by Azzurri players inside France’s box and almost ended in goals: actually one was a goal, one was saved by Barthez, and one I believe skimmed the bar.

I just cannot see Azzurri scoring from free-kicks and set pieces. Even now the penalty takers will not be first choice with their club except for Di Natale.

Lippi should be so thankful to FIFA for this draw – even poor outings in every group stage match should net the Italians enough points to finish first and advance. They would then face Cameroon or Denmark as the 2E, so they could conceivably advance to the quarterfinals based on schedule, although I don’t underestimate those teams.

thx for the comments!

In the Confederations Cup, Italy were saved by G. Rossi who is not on the team and then even in the qualifiers the Azzurri owe Kaladze for his own goal double against Georgia before the Azzurri finally beat Bulgaria and scored two goals.

I think excluding Casano or Totti was a mistake. Again, even 30 minutes of Totti would have been good. If one watches all the Azzurri games in WC 2006, you can see Totti was not influential as he was recovering from his injury and returning to fitness. He still was able to contribute and allowed Pirlo to roam free with less marking on him.

And finally in WC 2006, the Azzurri had Del Piero who can come off the bench and he did score a good goal in the semi-final. Now the Italian bench is much weaker in terms of attacking talent. Who can change the game for Italy if they are trailing? No Cassano, No Totti, No G. Rossi, No Miccoli (he’s injured now anyways), No Balotelli…

It will be tough but let’s hope the strikers can start scoring and Pirlo + Camoranesi return to fitness.