Italy wary of Cyprus sting in the tail

Italy coach Marcello Lippi will take nothing for granted when the world champions start the defence of their title against Cyprus here Saturday.

“Cyprus will not be underestimated. We will be very careful knowing what happened in the past,” Lippi said on Friday.

That was a reference to a game in 1983 when Cyprus secured an unlikely 1-1 draw at home to Italy in a European championship qualifier.

Then, as now, Italy were world champions, but needed an own goal to get them out of trouble.

“I've watched many games, especially those from last season in the Euro qualifiers and the recent friendly against Switzerland and I have a good idea of what Cyprus can do,” said Lippi.

But the World Cup-winning coach said Italy will play to their strengths.

“We will play the game according to our capabilities and according to how the game goes.”

Lippi returned to the national set-up when predecessor Roberto Donadoni was axed after a poor Euro 2008, where they fell to eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals.

Although Cyprus were thumped 4-1 by Switzerland in a recent friendly, they are a different proposition at home having beaten Ireland 5-2, Wales 3-1 and drawn with Germany 1-1 in an impressive Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The nation's football is on a high after league champions Anorthosis Famagusta became the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League group stage, where they will be pitted against Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Cyprus' Greek coach Angelos Anastassiades is likely to play an attacking line-up against the Italians as he will be gunning for all three points.

Soon after landing at Larnaca airport, the Italians made the trip to the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium to familiarise themselves with their surroundings.