Italy vs Paraguay 2010

Tuesday, 1st June 2010 at 12:10pm

Italy vs Paraguay has the makings of a tricky opening fixture for the defending World Cup champions when the two teams come face to face on June 14.

Traditionally, the Azzuri are slow starters in major competitions and will line up against a Paraguay team that won more games than five-time World Cup champions Brazil in qualifying for the tournament.

After a disappointing Confederations Cup in South Africa in 2009, Marcelo Lippi's men sealed their place in South Africa, finishing top of their qualifying group with 24 points from 10 games, winning seven and drawing three.

The core of the Italian side remains similar to the one that lifted the title in Germany four years ago. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon will line up in goal behind a defence that still boasts Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta and a midfield containing Daniel de Rossi, Angelo Pirlo and Genarro Gattuso.

The Italian team has a very solid look about it and will be strong at the back, but a lack of goals in qualifying will have been a concern for Lippi and the veteran coach will be looking to Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino and Giuseppe Rossi.

Like their European opponents, Paraguay struggled for goals in qualifying, finding the net the least amount of times of the five South American qualifiers.

Coach Gerado Martino will call on the services of Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz and Benfica's Oscar Cardoza to find the back of the net, the latter having scored 38 times last season and the former just four goals away from becoming Paraguay's joint all-time top scorer.

Paraguay's defence is solid, conceding 16 goals in 18 qualifying matches, second only to Brazil with 11.

Given both sides' ability to keep things tight at the back plus their difficulties scoring goals, this opening match in Group F has all the hallmarks of a draw and one point apiece.

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