Del Piero to captain Azzurri, Friday 13 June 2008

Italy go into today's must-win game with Romania looking to make amends for a lucklustre display against the Netherlands on Monday night. Memories of that depressing night for Italian football will be banished as the Azzurri look to kick-start their campaign, and rumours over the starting line-up are the main topic for discussion in the Italian media.

Luca Toni has indicated that he would prefer to be partnered in the attack by Alex Del Piero and Antonio Cassano, saying that "The second half was much better because Antonio and Alessandro gave a creative boost to the team". Camoranesi on the right was missing for much of the game against Holland, and could be the victim of "rotation", as Del Piero is set to start, and as captain. Di Natale is the other candidate for being replaced, in what would be a more like-for-like change.

Manager Roberto Donadoni has said that there will be "three or four changes", one of them being Del Piero, who said this week that he feels like the captain whether he plays or not, and will take the Azzurri armband off goalkeeper Buffon. Del Piero has had an excellent second half of the season, and the stage is set for an international success to end his Italy career, at a time when he is playing some of the best football.

Giorgio Chiellini is set to come into the defence, most likely replacing Materazzi, who had a very poor beginning to his Championships. Chiellini will have to deal with the attacks of Fiorentina star Adrian Mutu, who will be the main attacking threat for the Romanians.

Probable Line-ups

ITALIA:4-3-3 Buffon, Grosso, Zambrotta, Barzagli, Chiellini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Del Piero, Toni, Di Natale.

ROMANIA: 4-3-3 Lobont, Contra, Goian, Tamas,Rat, Cocis, Radoi, Chivu, Nicolita, Niculae, Mutu.

Tim D