Slovenia vs Italy Match Preview
Italy take on Slovenia in Group C Euro2012 qualifying action.

Lazio's Stefano Mauri is going to be the creative force for Italy tomorrow
Italy will look to consolidate first position when they travel to Slovena tomorrow for their Group C Euro2012 qualifier. Though they are sitting comfortably on ten points, the Azzurri will nonetheless be wary of Slovenia who could pull level with a win.
Eastern European venues have always been perilous for Italy, and Cesare Prandelli's side would not be overly disappointed with a draw. A victory against Slovenia, however, would leave Italy in a commanding, almost unassailable position at the top.
Prandelli looks to go with a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Lazio's Stefano Mauri set to play as the "1," behind former Sampdoria duo Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini.
Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal and will be shielded by a defensive quartet of Christian Maggio, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, and Federico Balzaretti, the Palermo full-back who is having an outstanding season at Palermo.
Alberto Aquilani, Riccardo Montolivio and Thiago Motta will be in midfield.
Prandelli had to omit Daniele De Rossi for discipline problems, a decision that De Rossi accepted with notable grace. His other combustible Italy teammate Mario Balotelli, now at Manchester City, also misses out for the same reason.
Samir Handanovic of Udinese will be the goalkeeper for Slovenia while Palermo's Josip Ilicic will play in midfield, completing the Italian connection in the Slovenian team.
Prediction: Many expect Italy to settle for a draw, but I think Italy will compete with zeal to claim a 2-0 win.
Slovenia vs Italy Match Report
Italy defeated Slovenia 1-0 in their Group C qualifying game.

Motta (foreground, left) was decisive for Italy against Slovenia. Here, he is pictured in a friendly against Germany.
Italy claimed a valuable 1-0 victory in Slovenia, putting themselves six points ahead of their closest rivals in Group C. Thiago Motta scored the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.
Italy started with no surprises as Stefano Mauri slotted in behind Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano in a 4-3-1-2 formation.
Despite Motta's sole strike, it was a lively game as Zlatan Ljubijankic hit the crossbar for Slovenia in the second half.
However, it was Motta who scored in the 73rd minute with an angled shot to give Italy three points.
Serbia came from behind to beat Northern Ireland in Group C's other game, so they go level with Slovenia in second place.