Preview: Slovakia – Italy

(GSM) – Reigning World Champions Italy will do everything they can to avoid the disgrace of being eliminated in the group stages. The Italians are famous for their slow starts of major tournaments but will have to increase their form drastically or else they will be the second finalist of Germany 2006 to crash out of the group stages after France left the World Cup already on Tuesday.

La Squadra Azzurra face an opponent who can also still reach the final 16 after two matches. Slovakia gained one point out of their first matches and need to defeat Italy to keep sight of the next round.

The Italians are not enjoying an ideal World Cup campaign so far. The Azzurri struggled against Paraguay (1-1) and minors New Zealand (also 1-1) and midfielder Claudio Marchisio and striker Alberto Gilardino have openly questioned coach Marcello Lippi’s tactics.

Lippi, as always, kept his cool but will start the crucial last match without… Marchisio and Gilardino. The two are likely to be replaced by Mauro Camoranesi and Giampaolo Pazzini. Federico Marchetti will replace the injured Gianluigi Buffon between the posts.

Slovakia have a fully fit squad an are not troubled by suspensions. They will put their trust in Marek Hamsik, their star player and captain who earns his money in Italy where he plays for Napoli.