From what I gather the Italians, like us, are not getting too excited about this game.
When there are vital games on the horizon it puts a friendly into its proper perspective. They also appear to be quite relaxed about winning their group.
According to the Italian press Corriere della Sera
http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/S...4/italia.shtml
The game against Ireland will be a good test with average difficulty
La partita contro l'Eire costituisce in buon test -di media difficoltà-
pardon my translation
e quindi darà indicazioni valide per le trasferte di Glasgow (3 settembre) e di Minsk (7 settembre)
and will offer valid indications for the next 2 games
the team
Buffon in porta; Bonera, Cannavaro, Nesta e Grosso in difesa; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso (De Rossi) e Zambrotta in mezzo; davanti Totti e Gilardino (o Vieri).
Buffon of course will not be in "the door" this time -:)
My favorite player of the lot is Zambrotta but it's some team.
The last time I glanced at an Italian paper was the day after the Giants Stadium when the single word huge banner headline was " DISASTERO", wasn't it just!
