Italy
Group E | World ranking: 13 Coach: Marcello Lippi
Key Players: Francesco Totti (forward), Luca Toni (forward), Alessandro Nesta (defender), Gianluigi Buffon (goalkeeper) Past Record: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982; Runners-up 1970, 1994; Third place 1990, Fourth place 1978 Group E Results:
June 12: Ghana (2-0 | Report)
June 17: U.S. (1-1 | Report)
June 22: Czech Republic (2-0 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 26: Australia (1-0 | Report)
June 30: Ukraine (3-0 | Report)
July 4: Germany (2-0 | Report)
July 9: France (1-1 aet; Italy win 5-3 on penalties | Report) Knockout Stages Summary:
Italy produced one of the performances of the tournament with a 2-0 win over hosts Germany in the semifinal, scoring twice in the dying minutes of extra time to reach their first World Cup final since 1994. Defensive strength has been the key to Italy's progress with Gianluigi Buffon beaten just once en route to the final. It took a last-minute penalty from Francesco Totti for the Azzurri to edge past Australia in the second round after Marco Materazzi had been sent off, but they had no such problems in their quarterfinal clash with Ukraine with Luca Toni finding the net twice in a 3-0 win. Group Summary:
Despite a misfiring forward line the Italians qualified without too much drama, bar a bad-tempered and slightly dishevelled performance in a 1-1 draw with the U.S. Ghana were comfortably beaten and the Azzurri then held their nerve in their final match against the highly-rated Czechs. But while Italy have looked as solid as ever defensively, coach Marcello Lippi will be hoping for more from his forwards if his side are to develop into genuine contenders. Pre-Tournament Preview:
Italy come into the finals in bouyant mood after an impressive 4-1 victory over World Cup hosts Germany in March. That win came on the back of a solid if unspectacular qualifying campaign which saw the Azzurri secure their place by winning every one of their home fixtures and only suffering defeat in Slovenia. Traditionally solid in defense, the center-half pairing of Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro, coupled with the agility of the world's most expensive goalkeeper Buffon, will ensure a miserly goal-against column. Although lacking flair in midfield, Lippi's diamond formation works to great effect. It is in attack where Italy excite, with Fiorentina striker Toni, top scorer in Serie A this season, and AC Milan's Alberto Gilardino forming an impressive partnership. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
12. Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio)
14. Marco Amelia (Livorno) Defenders:
2. Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo)
3. Fabio Grosso (Palermo)
5. Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus)
6. Andrea Barzagli (Palermo)
13. Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
19. Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus)
22. Massimo Oddo (Lazio)
23. Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan) Midfielders:
4. Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma)
8. Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan)
16. Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus)
17. Simone Barone (Palermo)
20. Simone Perrotta (AS Roma)
21. Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan) Forwards:
7. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
9. Luca Toni (Fiorentina)
10. Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
11. Alberto Gilardino (AC Milan)
15. Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese)
18. Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan)
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