Italy vs Paraguay - Preview

Italy

v

Paraguay

Group F

6:30 PM GMT, June 14, 2010

Green Point Stadium , Cape Town, South Africa

The 2006 World Cup winners open their title defence against the team predicted to cause them the most problems in Group F. 

Italy player in focus: Daniele De Rossi: Dynamism personified, De Rossi will be the Azzurri's key man in Pirlo's absence, and with Gennaro Gattuso an option to play behind him, the Roma midfielder should have plenty of room to roam and influence the game. He comes into the tournament on the back of a fantastic season with his club side, and it seems the bigger the occasion, the better he plays. Four years on from his disgraceful sending off against USA at the 2006 finals, De Rossi has matured into a real leader and he will be determined to show the numerous positive aspects of his game this time around. There is a doubt over his fitness for Monday but, given his importance, he seems likely to make the starting XI.

Paraguay player in focus: Lucas Barrios. One of the in-form players heading into the finals, Barrios has the potential to make a big impact in South Africa and, wherever he goes, goals are almost certain to follow. Born in Argentina, he decided to represent Paraguay just before the World Cup and promptly accepted a call-up to the side. Three goals in his first three games have seen him explode onto the international scene. A predator with exceptional finishing prowess, Italy should be wary of his presence.

Key battle: Paulo Da Silva v Fabio Quagliarella:Da Silva helped keep out the intimidating attacking talents of Brazil and Argentina during qualifying, but after a frustrating season at Sunderland in which he started just 12 games, his lack of game time could prove costly at the World Cup. Waiting to pounce on any mistakes could be Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella, whose goal against Switzerland in the final warm-up game should have done enough to convince Lippi that he is worth a place in the starting line-up.

Trivia: Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar's eighth-minute substitution against England in 2006 was the quickest substitution of a shot-stopper in World Cup history.

Stats: In 2006, Italy's 12 goals were scored by ten different players - a record jointly held with France (1982).

Odds: Italy (2.10), the draw (3.10), Paraguay (4.00) with Bet365. A 1-0 win for Italy looks promising at 5.50.

Prediction: As long as the Azzurri's notoriously tight defence remains that way to stifle the threat of Barrios and Santa Cruz, they will have every chance of succeeding where Argentina and France failed before them - by winning their opening match as defending champions.

Italy 1-0 is the likely result.