Italy play Cyprus this Saturday in the opening fixture of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying and all eyes will be on how the Azzurri have improved since their lackluster and fortuitous 2 – 2 draw against Austria in a friendly a few weeks ago.

The Azzurri will take on Cyprus on September 6th and then Georgia on the 10th. They are in group 8 of the World Cup 2010 European qualifying stages alongside the Republic of Ireland, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Georgia. Considering the competition in the group, Italy are considered overwhelming favourites to top the table ahead of the other five teams

Three injured players make their return to the squad in this match, with captain Fabio Cannavaro perhaps the most anticipated of the three. The captain injured his ankle prior to Euro 2008 and had to sit the tournament out. His presence was sorely missed and his return will be a welcome boost for the Azzurri. Luca Toni has also recovered from injury to join the squad for the qualifying double header, and the striker will be keen to put his Euro 2008 performance behind him and start afresh with Italy under Lippi. Alessandro Gamberini has recovered from his injury worries and will be available on the weekend.

Latest team news is that Marco Amelia has a back problem and will be unavailable for the tie against the Cypriots. Coach Marcello Lippi has called in Siena stopper Gianluca Curci as his replacement, slotting into the third goalkeeper spot behind Buffon and De Sanctis.

Striker Alberto Gilardino may get the nod ahead of Luca Toni after the Fiorentina striker has impressed in training at Coverciano. A turn of form has seen the former Milan attacker resurrect his scoring touch in his first few games of the season for the Viola, and the hope is that this will translate into goals for La Nazionale.

Cypriot football is on a high at the moment, after the country’s league winner Anorthosis Famagusta made history by becoming the first Cypriot side to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage. This will surely inspire the players and give them confidence to go into the Italian encounter with a positive attitude. Despite playing away from home in Larnaca, the Azzurri are expected to win comfortably and get the qualifying off to a great start, gaining momentum that will be useful in the midweek game against Georgia.

Peter Pedroncelli - footballitaliano.org