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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Angelo Peruzzi
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(Juventus), age 28, 22 caps.
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First-choice
goalkeeper. A powerfully built shot-stopper who has been key in
helping Juventus dominate Serie A and the European Cup in last
four years. Former under-21 captain. Did not concede a goal
during first 285 minutes of 1997-98 season.
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Gianluca Pagliuca
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(Inter Milan), 31, 33 caps.
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Former
first-choice goalkeeper who has lost out to Peruzzi in recent
seasons. Almost cost Italy defeat in 1994 World Cup final
against Brazil when he fumbled a shot against the post. Fine
season for Inter. Lightning reflexes and a specialist at saving
penalties.
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Gianluigi Buffon
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(Parma), 20, 2 caps.
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Became Italy's second
youngest goalkeeper of all time when he came on a substitute for
Gianluca Pagliuca in the World Cup play-off in Moscow. Hailed by
veteran Italy keeper Dino Zoff as most promising young 'keeper
in the country.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Alessandro Costacurta
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(AC Milan), 32, 53 caps.
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Regular under
former coach Arrigo Sacchi and present trainer Cesare Maldini.
In AC Milan side for a decade. Suffered rare misfortune of
missing both 1994 European Cup final and World Cup final due to
suspension.
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Fabio Cannavaro
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(Parma), 24, 13 caps.
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Aggressive
hard-tackling defender who established himself in Tournoi de
France last June. Impressive against Georgia in Tbilisi and
against Russia in Moscow in World Cup campaign.
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Ciro Ferrara
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(Juventus), 31, 44 caps.
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Out with a broken left
leg but fighting to get back in shape for France. If he makes
it, will be Maldini's first-choice sweeper. Experienced player
who joined Juventus in 1994 after decade at Diego
Maradona-inspired Napoli.
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Paolo Maldini
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(AC Milan), 29, 87 caps.
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Coach's son who has
made left-back position his own but equally accomplished in
center of defense. Still in his twenties, is already third in
list of most-capped Italians. Heart-throb of girls across Italy.
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Moreno Torricelli
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(Juventus), 28, 6 caps.
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Bearded,
long-haired right-back, back in the international frame again
after period in the wilderness. Played first game for Italy this
season in friendly against Slovakia in January.
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Antonio Benarrivo
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(Parma), 29, 23 caps.
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Stylish left
wing-back, understudy to Paolo Maldini. Key member of Parma's
European title-winning sides of early 1990s. Out of favor with
coach Maldini in recent matches.
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Alessandro Nesta
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(Lazio), 22, 11 caps.
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Won his first cap in
the European championship last year. Rapidly establishing
himself as classy defender and team player. A rock at center of
Lazio defense this season.
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Luigi Sartor
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(Inter Milan), 23, 1 cap.
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Sturdy defender who
won call up while at Vicenza. Has enjoyed fine first season with
Inter. Capped by Maldini at under-21 level. A perfect
replacement for Ferrara if the Juventus sweeper fails to recover
from broken leg in time.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Dino Baggio
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(Parma), 26, 46 caps.
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Tall, rangy figure, no
relation to namesake Roberto. Strengths are mainly defensive but
has also scored important goals. First-team regular on the left.
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Demetrio Albertini
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(AC Milan), 26, 50 caps.
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Mop-haired
lynchpin of the Italian and Milan midfields. Authoritative
ball-player through whom many of Italy's deadly counter-attacks
are launched.
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Angelo Di Livio
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(Juventus), 31, 20 caps.
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Late starter in
international terms. Caught Sacchi's eye in title-winning
Juventus team in 1995 after being regular for AS Roma.
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Antonio Conte
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(Juventus), 28, 8 caps.
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Juve captain back to
his best after missing virtually all last season through injury.
Attack-minded midfielder who has scored some spectacular goals
this season.
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Roberto Di Matteo
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(Chelsea, England), 27 (28 on May 25), 31 caps.
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Understated, neat right-sided midfielder who was born in
Switzerland. Scorer in Italy's last outing against Slovakia in
January.
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Luigi Di Biagio
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(AS Roma), 26 (27 on June 3), 2 caps.
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Started life with Lazio but now a regular in center of Roma
midfield. Made impressive debut against Slovakia in friendly in
Sicily this January.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Alessandro Del Piero
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(Juventus), 23, 19 caps.
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Represented
country at under-21 and senior level last season. One of
deadliest strikers in Italy. Has yet to cement a first team
place in national side tipped for great things in France.
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Roberto Baggio
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(Bologna), 31, 47 caps.
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Former Italy captain
and inspiration now in twilight of career but still capable of
moments of genius at Bologna, whom he joined from AC Milan last
summer. Whether or not to include him in the 1998 World Cup
squad is Maldini's single biggest selection headache.
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Filippo Inzaghi
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(Juventus), 24, 4 caps.
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Last season's top
scorer in Serie A with humble Atalanta Bergamo. Has successfully
teamed up with Del Piero at Juventus this year. Undoubtedly
talented enough for World Cup stage but could miss out this time
due to intense competition for forward's places.
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Christian Vieri
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(Atletico Madrid, Spain), 24, 8 caps.
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Striker with build of a heavyweight boxer, sweeping all before
him in Spain after moving from Juventus in close season. Perfect
foil for the nimble talents of a Del Piero or a Baggio.
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Pierluigi Casiraghi
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(Lazio), 29, 44 caps.
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Powerful forward
nicknamed 'Little Bison.' Fighting for place in starting
line-up for both Lazio and Italy. Obvious stand-by for the
equally robust Vieri.
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Gianfranco Zola
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(Chelsea, England), 31 (32 on June 5), 35 caps.
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Diminutive Sardinian playmaker who was England's
Footballer of the Year last season. Eager to help Italy succeed
at France 1998 after personal disappointments of 1994 World Cup,
where he was sent off for only time in his career, and 1996
European championship, where he missed a vital penalty. Maldini
has hinted he might leave him out of the squad unimpressed by
some inconsistent form this season.
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Fabrizio Ravanelli
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(Marseille, France), 29, 21 caps.
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Settled
at Marseille after stormy season in England with Middlesbrough.
Recalled for play-off matches against Russia where his
never-say-die attitude was vital.
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Enrico Chiesa
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(Parma), 27, 6 caps.
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Much traveled and highly
respected striker who has spearheaded Parma attack for last two
seasons. Won most recent cap against England in World Cup
qualifier in Rome. Could provide cover on right side of midfield
too.
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Francesco Moriero
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(Inter Milan), 29, 2 caps.
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Winger who
scored two spectacular goals on his full debut against Paraguay
on April 22 to make a late claim for a place in the 22.
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