Italy sweat on Del Piero fitness
Reuters - Friday 05 September 2008, 14:26
ROME - Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero
is better after suffering a minor leg muscle strain but remains
a doubt for the world champions' World Cup qualifier against
Cyprus, coach Marcello Lippi said on the eve of Saturday's game.
"Today he trained separately (from the rest of the team).
Tomorrow we'll make another assessment. He might be ready for
Cyprus," Lippi told reporters ahead of the match in Larnaca.
Lippi, who is making his competitive return to the Azzurri
bench after being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni following
Euro 2008, said there was no danger his team would take Cyprus
lightly in their opening qualifier for South Africa 2010.
"Underestimating the opposition and the environment is not
allowed. These are mistakes that intelligent people don't make
and our group is mature," the 2006 World Cup-winning coach said.
"We want our first three points. The defence of the title of
world champions also passes through here."
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon dismissed speculation
that Manchester City were preparing a bid for him similar to the
100-million-euro offer that Chelsea made AC Milan for Kaka
according to media reports.
"We are talking about fantasy football, because there's lots
of talk of princely offers, but I like to touch things first to
see how real they are," he was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta
dello Sport's website.
"I don't know if anyone could really offer 100 million for
me, I don't think so, I'm six years older than Kaka."
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