Italy through to World Cup finals

Italy again have made it through to another world cup. The four time winners picked up the necessary point away to Ireland to guarantee the top spot in the qualifying group with one game still remaining. Ireland, of course, made life very difficult. They poured forward at every opportunity for the first 20 minutes or so and took the lead, deservedly, through a great Whelan effort 7 minutes in. It didn't take that long for Italy to level matters though, and Mauro Camoranesi's powerful header was just too much for Shay Given to handle. After the break, Italy thought they had gone in front, but Chielini's effort was adjudged to have been offside. Ireland had a decent chance soon after, but John O'Shea's header was weak. As the game developed, Italy began to establish a foothold and were comfortable in possession. However, despite this, Ireland took the lead and look to have won the game against the run of play. St Ledger headed in from the back post totally unmarked. It looked over, but Simone Pepe was introduced and assisted Iaquinta who then passed to substitute Gilardino who smartly sent Given the wrong way from ten yards out. Point taken, and qualification achieved.

Where too now
Well, Italy are there. But, changes do need to be made. Admittedly, Angelo Palombo did a good job last night filling in for new boy wonder Claudio Marchisio in midfield but Lippi still has me confused with the forward selections.

The defence
Buffon's a cert in goal, for sure. Cannavaro and Chielini will assume centre back roles, but the wing back positions aer surely still up for grabs. Zambrotta and Grosso currently hold them, but one wonders whether with the emergence of Marco Motta, Davide Santon and Genoa's Bocchetti whether they can hold on to them or not. This is certainly a good problem for Italy, plenty of quality and plenty of depth.

The midfield
The movement of Pirlo to playing just behind the strikers or striker is a great idea by Lippi, and takes him away from defensive responsibility. De Rossi and Marchisio should remain in front of the defence I feel, but the midfield three that played in front of them last night could be set for change. Last night Camoranesi, Pirlo and Di Natale played their, but theres no reason to feel why the likes of Foggia of Lazio and Quagliarella of Napoli could help out here as well. Foggia especially is a huge talent and, with Camoranesi the wrong side of 30, could add spice to the team.

The forwards
This is the biggest problem area for me, mainly because Lippi will not select Cassano and again has snubbed Giampaolo Pazzini who since joining Sampdoria has become one of the best forwards in Serie A fullstop. Amauri seems set to join the frey, but he also, much like Luca Toni, seems out of form at the moment, Gilardino and Iaquinta score goals, but they need a Cassano like figure alongside them to set them up I believe. The answer? Well, it could be Di Natale in the long run or even in parts at the world cup veteran Del Piero. If it were my decision, it would be Cassano alongside Pazzini to begin with, and if that did not work out Pazzini could be replaced with anyone from Iaqunita to Gilardino, in other words a target man.

What to expect
Well, who knows really. Italy are unpredictable and tend in major tournaments to start slow, and finish well. Germany 2006 is evidence of that, and a semi final, runner up, quarter final and second round finish in the five tournaments previous of that confirm their great tradition. The odds are of course against a repeat win in South Africa, the last team to win back to back world cups were Brazil in 1958, and then again in 1962. But, if Lippi gets the selections right, and it has got better since the confederations cup debacle, and has a little luck along the way there is no reason why Italy cannot do well next summer.