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Lippi takes his new-look Azzurri squad to Montenegro

World Cup defending Champions Italy are well on course to qualifying for the finals in South Africa. The Azzurri top their table with ten points like Ireland but with a better goal difference. Virtually, it’s the end of the road for the rest of the teams in Group 8. Bulgaria, Montenegro and Georgia, and then Cyprus have picked up only three points or less so far.

The focus in Group 8 is the battle for the top spot which will mean automatic qualification to the World Cup. Ireland are out to surprise the World Champions who are also keen to resume their campaign on March 28 from where they left off. Italy will play away to Montenegro in the second leg of their double header against the Brave Falcons. The coach will hope his guys take all three points like they did previously, beating Montenegro 2-1 at home.

Quality new faces to replace old names

Marcello Lippi has finally announced his squad, omitting the likes of Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni and Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino because of injury.

Azzurrini Star ‘Pazzo’ has been rewarded by Lippi for his remarkable and consistant performance in the Seria with Sampdoria. The Samp Star striker could relish a dream debut against Montenegro this weekend.

"I am happy," said Pazzini reflecting on his call-up. "Here at Sampdoria I have found splendid team-mates and it is thanks to them that I have been called up.

"I have enjoyed two fantastic months at Sampdoria and to be called into the national team is an immense joy."

It’s no surprise Pazzini made it in the Italian national team squad. With 11 goals in 12 appearances for Sampdoria, the 24-year-old striker had every chance of steeling Lippi’s attention especially as big name Stars like Gilardino and Toni are sidelined with injuries.

However, whether it is because Pazzo might believe in the superiority of names over quality, this is what he avowed:

"I really didn't expect it," said Pazzini. "I never thought I would make it to the national team.

"When I was told yesterday, I just couldn't believe it.

"I only know that selection to the national team is not easy and for that reason this is a great reward that brings me great joy."

Defenders Marco Motta and Salvatore Bocchetti also enjoyed a first-time call-up to the squad while Matteo Brighi and Pasquale Foggia return has Azzurris after a long wait out of the team’s selection.

Juventus’ ineligible Amauri is definitely out of the squad, just like Daniele Bonera, Nicola Legrottaglie, Camoranesi, Perrota, Aquilani and Gattuso who are all injured.

Where Montenegro could find courage

In fact, the Azzuri side that will face Montenegro is almost completely different from Italy’s first choice team. Too many injuries plaguing the country’s big stars might come out as a big woe to the World Champions. Montenegro may be placed 112th in the Fifa Coca Cola World Rankings, but they’ve also shown that they can cause an upset on home soil where they are currently undefeated throughout the qualification campaign. Jovan Tanasijevic will be sorry to have scored an own goal to provide Italy with the win in the first leg of the encounter. With the home factor advantage and the absence of big Star names in the Italy squad, the Brave Falcons may find the courage to rub with salt the wounds that Italy got in their friendly match defeat against Brazil on February.

A trip to the Stadion Pod Goricom could give the blues to the Azzurri.

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