Forza Italia

Luck of the draw favors Azzurri

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By Simon Hooper, CNNSI.com

Forget France and Argentina. Italy is the team to beat at this World Cup.

While the reigning world champion and South America’s finest have dominated the pre-tournament build-up, Azzurri coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been quietly preparing his squad knowing that the draw hands his side a major advantage over its main rivals for glory.

Luck has always been a massive factor in deciding World Cups and Italy has drawn the inside lane to the final.

In the first round it comes up against Croatia, Mexico and Ecuador in Group G, three teams that will happily play for second place behind the three-time world champion.

Next up is the runner-up in Group D. Assuming Portugal takes spot that leaves another weak trio with none of Poland, South Korea or the United States likely to slow Italy’s march.

Trapattoni can then look forward to a clash with perhaps a weak Germany, a dangerous but erratic Cameroon or Paraguay, led by former Italian coach Cesare Maldini. In summary, Italy can make the last four without breaking sweat.

Spain or Portugal could pose the Italians a few problems in the semifinals, but neither has the pedigree to deny Italy its sixth appearance in a World Cup final.

By contrast, both Argentina and France are likely to have to play England, Brazil and each other en route to the final. The eventual winners of that half of the draw are likely to arrive at the final badly damaged by previous battles.

Of course, Italy also has the players to succeed. With a defensive unit built around Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro it’s almost impossible to imagine anybody threatening Gianluigi Buffon’s goal. Maldini, a regular since 1988, says this is the best Azzurri defense he can remember.

In Vieri, Italy also possesses the most dangerous penalty area specialist at the tournament while Francesco Totti is one of the world’s great playmakers.

With Vincenzo Montella and Alessandro del Piero in reserve Italy has perhaps the best-stocked bench at the tournament. And no other team’s coach-captain duo can rival the experience of the Trapattoni-Maldini double act.

Italy’s recent performances at major tournaments also suggest this generation is about to peak. Two years ago it was only denied the European Championship by Sylvain Wiltord’s injury time equalizer for France.

France also won their quarterfinal clash at the last World Cup but a penalty shootout exit after a goalless draw hardly reflected badly on the Italians. While Les Bleus have aged, the Azzurri have matured.

If Italy has a weakness it is in midfield. With Trapattoni likely to field a phalanx of holding players such as Damiano Tomassi and Gennaro Gattuso behind a single playmaker, it remains to be seen whether Italy’s defensive and offensive strengths can be knitted together effectively.

And then there are penalties.

In each of the past three tournaments the Italians have failed at shootouts. The last country to win the World Cup without surviving a shootout along the way was Argentina in 1986. At some point the Azzurri will likely have to face their penalty demons, and that will be the defining moment of their campaign.

The Italians are undoubtedly good enough. So far they have been lucky enough. Now it is time to show they are tough enough.

Blatter re-elected as FIFA president Sepp Blatter fought off allegations of mismanagement and corruption and a revolt by senior FIFA executives to win re-election as president of world soccer’s governing body. The Swiss 66-year-old beat African soccer chief Issa Hayatou by 139 votes to 56. But Blatter had to promise more transparency in his adminstration and consent to the scrutiny of an internal audit committee. The anti-Blatter campaign, backed by FIFA general secretary Michael Zen-Ruffinen and UEFA president Lennart Johansson have accused him of running up massive debts and running FIFA like a dictatorship. Blatter still faces the prospect of criminal charges after 11 of the 24 executive committee members launched action in a Swiss Court earlier this month to investigate alleged corruption. Zen-Ruffinen seems unlikely to survive in the new administration. “He is in big trouble,” Blatter said.

Maradona tops list of greatest goals Diego Maradona’s solo effort against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico was the best goal in the history of the tournament, according to a FIFA poll. Maradona also placed fourth on the list for his similar effort in the semifinals of the same tournament against Belgium. Maradona’s ensemble were separated by two teenage efforts. Michael Owen was second for his dazzling dash through Argentina’s defense to score at the last World Cup, and Pele was third for his goal as a 17-year-old in the 1958 final against Sweden when he flicked the ball over the head of a defender and volleyed it home. Gheorghe Hagi’s completed the top five with his incredible strike from the right touchline against Colombia at the 1994 finals.

Ireland not so Keane on Roy The Roy Keane saga dragged on for most of the week, following Irish coach Mick McCarthy’s decision to send his bad-tempered captain home last Thursday. The Manchester United star arrived home last Friday to find most of the British and Irish media camped outside his home in the north of England. Keane, who said he had “no regrets” after reportedly unleashing a tirade of abuse at McCarthy, reacted by taking his dog, and the accompanying press pack, for a walk. But with Irish Prime Minister and Manchester United fanatic Bertie Ahern offering to mediate in an effort to get Keane back into the squad, and with Dublin pubs divided over his behavior, Keane admitted he still wanted to play in the World Cup. Finally on Tuesday Ireland’s players issued a statement in support of McCarthy which said “the interests of the squad are best served without Roy’s presence.”

Camachin The month-old-puppy, whose name means “Little Camacho” was rescued from a market by a Spanish TV crew filming a feature on dog eating in Korea and presented to Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho as a mascot for the squad. Khalilou Fadiga The Senegalese midfielder was caught trying to steal a necklace worth US$243 from a shop in Daegu. Fadiga claimed he had been dared by teammates and said “It was just a joke that went sour." But he can play in Friday’s World Cup opener against France.

Roberto Carlos: ‘United wants me’ Roberto Carlos is set to join Manchester United from Real Madrid, according to Marca. "It's true that Manchester wants me. Its interest is not new," the Brazilian defender told the Spanish newspaper, which claimed the English side is ready to part with US$56.08 million for the 29-year-old. But Real’s sport director told As: “It's a spectacular exercise in imagination." Marca also claims Real is preparing to offload midfielders Geremi and Flavio Conceicao to English side Chelsea.

Nesta bound for Juve Italian champion Juventus is to sign defender Alessandro del Piero in an exchange deal with Lazio, says Gazzetta dello Sport. Among the players linked with a move from Turin to Rome are midfielders Alessio Tacchinardi and Dutchman Edgar Davids and Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta. Matteo Brighi, the young midfielder Juve recently signed from Bologna could; also be in the shop window. Gazzetta also says Lilian Thuram’s move to Manchester United is also complete and that United’s Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is still on the shopping list.

Sven’s a cut above the rest Suave England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has flown his personal stylist out to join his World Cup support team in the hope he can give his side a cutting edge for Sunday’s clash with Sweden, reveals the Sun. Scott Warren, a 20-year-old crimper, said: “It is such a great opportunity. I know it is only a small role but I hope that in a way I can help England in the World Cup.”

"Spain is not strong enough to make an impact in this World Cup. They only qualified because they played teams like Liechtenstein and Israel. They are definitely not the best team in our group." -- Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert doesn’t expect Raul and co. to pose too many problems.