GROUP EIGHT GEORGIA v ITALY: ITALIAN COACH Marcello Lippi yesterday issued a warning against complacency ahead of Italy's World Cup qualifier away to Georgia in Tiblisi tonight.
Speaking on the plane as the team travelled to Georgia, Lippi expressed his concern that fans and critics alike have paid little attention to tonight’s game during the week-long preparations: “Nobody seems to give a damn about this game . . . People haven’t talked about it even during the week.
“There has been a lot of talk about (Sampdoria striker) Cassano, about (Inter coach) José Mourinho, and about just everything except how we will play this game. Okay, Georgia are not Brazil but to win here is very important with a view to qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa next year”.
Lippi’s concern is all too understandable. For him, it is absolutely essential that his side win both tonight against Georgia and on Wednesday against Bulgaria (in Turin) to give Italy the cushion of (at least) a four-point lead going into a potentially very difficult qualifier against the Republic of Ireland next month.
Should Italy win both their games over the next five days, they could then travel to Dublin knowing that they could lose to Ireland at Croke Park but still go on to win the group if they win their final group game at home to Cyprus.
Italy currently lead group eight by one point from Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland.
Lippi’s concern is also understandable given Italy’s far from impressive recent form. Following a traumatic Confederations Cup showing in South Africa this summer, marked by defeats by Brazil and Egypt, Italy have now gone three games without scoring a goal.
The Italian coach looks to Villareal and former Manchester United strike Giuseppe Rossi to put things to rights tonight in a two-man attack in which he will be partnered by Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta.
The last named could be one of five current Juventus players to feature in tonight’s team as Lippi follows on from 1982 World Cup winning coach Enzo Bearzot, who based that side on a “Juventus-Block” featuring such as Zoff, Scirea, Cabrini, Gentile and current Irish number two coach Marco Tardelli.
Given the importance of tonight’s game, Lippi will rely on familiar faces with Gigi Buffon in goal, captain Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta and Giorgio Chiellini in defence and with Mauro Camoranesi and Andrea Pirlo in midfield.
Right back “Mimmo” Criscito, who made his full debut against Switzerland in a 0-0 friendly draw last month, may hold onto his place while Lippi could yet spring a surprise by fielding Fiorentina’s Marco Marchionni, recalled after a three-year absence, at right midfield.
For Georgia, under the guidance of former Inter Milan coach, Argentine Hector Cuper, tonight’s game offers a chance of “glory” compensation given that, with just three points from seven games, the team has long since been eliminated from the race for South Africa.
Cuper will look to the experience of two Serie A Georgians, namely Palermo striker Levan Mchedlidze and recently injured AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze. Georgia has never beaten Italy, losing six and drawing once in seven games against the current World Champions.
PROBABLE TEAMS: GEORGIA: (4-4-1-1)Bediashvili; Lobjanidze, Kashia, Kaladze, Popkhadze; Razmadze, Seturidze, Kobiashvili, Merebashvili; Mchedlidze, Dvalishvili
ITALY: (4-4-2)Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito; Camoranesi, Palombo, Pirlo, Marchionni; Rossi, Iaquinta
Referee: Marcin Borski
