The start in
group F of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is the match between
Italy and
Paraguay. The Azzurri are considered favorites to win the group. From many sides give the South Americans credit for promotion into last sixteen.
Currently, the world champion is troubled with enormous injury problems. In particular, the midfield is suffering badly from the loss of playmaker
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan) and winger
Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus). Coach
Marcelo Lippi is ready with
Andrea Cossu (Cagliari) a possible replacement. In Paraguay all hopes set on the formidable strike duo of Santa Cruz/Barrios. After the top scorer of the qualifier,
Salvador Cabanas, fails, the quite recently naturalized
Lucas Barrios (Dortmund) should fit as an adequately replace.
Group F: Italy - Paraguay
Date: 14 June 2010, 20:30 CET
Stadium: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico)
Italy:Keeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Salvatore Bocchetti
Midfielders: Angelo Palombo, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele de Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo
Forwards: Alberto Gilardino, Antonio di Natale
Coach: Marcelo Lippi
Injured: Andrea Pirlo, Mauro Camoranesi
Booked:
Paraguay:Keeper: Justo Villar
Defenders: Denis Caniza, Julio Cáceres, Paulo da Silva, Claudio Morel
Midfielders: Cristian Riveros, Jonathan Santana, Victor Cáceres, Carlos Bonet
Forwards: Lucas Barrios, Roque Santa Cruz
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Injured:
Booked:
The Italian fans are cherishing great expectations on their team as usual. Anything other than the title defense would be a disappointment. In order to get used to the climatic conditions in South Africa, the Azzurri trained in high altitude Sestriere. Paraguayan players travel with the minimum aim to reach the last sixteen. The match is called by referee Benito Archundia from Mexico.
Last duel: 2 July 1950, Italy - Paraguay 2:0
Wins Italy: 1
Wins Paraguay: 0
Draws: 0
Italy is despite the poor performance in the test matches for the World Cup a favorite for the title. Paraguay in turn can point to an appealing performance in qualifying round. I bet on an
Italian win.
The best odds to this game you find at
Bet365,
Bwin and
Expekt.
