PREVIEW: Precision needed as Italy take test with Sweden

Nov 16, 2009, 9:25 GMT

Cesena, Italy - Marcello Lippi's Azzurri tackle Sweden Wednesday as the World Cup winning coach keeps looking for the best line-up for his side's 2010 title defence.

After a fairly dull scoreless draw with the Netherlands on Saturday, Lippi said he has three quarters of the group ready to defend their crown next June in South Africa.

'I have 16-17 players certain for the World Cup,' he said. 'The free slots will be assigned based on the needs and the balance of the team.'

The race for the six-seven seats on the flight to South Africa is likely to involve young offensive players like Antonio Candreva, who did well in his debut against the Dutch, Davide Biondini, the returning Giampaolo Pazzini and Giuseppe Rossi.

Defender Davide Santon, who turns 19 in January, can also nourish hopes despite going through a glum period after a convincing 2008-2009 season.

'Rossi had a difficult period with Villarreal (in the Spanish Liga), but he is improving and I saw him do well (against the Dutch),' Lippi said.

'Santon has been playing sparsely (in the Serie A). I hope, while respecting the needs of Inter Milan, that he can play more.'

A veteran like Alessandro Del Piero, 35, has also no intention of giving up the Azzurri jersey as he prepares to rejoin the fray with Juventus after a long injury lay-off.

'I'd rather not be on vacation next June,' he said, noting that he played in Italy's first two World Cup qualifiers.

Del Piero's teammate Gianluigi Buffon is certain of his place between the posts and against the Dutch squad celebrated his 100th cap unscathed.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper conceded that the Azzurri need to improve if they want to live up to their role as defending champions in South Africa.

'There are still six months to the World Cup,' Buffon said.

'There's all the time to get ready as we have to. However, one thing is clear: in South Africa we'll have to do more.'

A glaring problem against the Netherlands was how easily Italy gave up possession, a frustrating problem both for the fans and Lippi, who found no convincing explanation.

The game in the northern town of Cesena should be easier for the Azzurri, allowing Lippi more chances to experiment, mostly in midfield and up front.

Unlike the Netherlands, Sweden did not qualify for South Africa and are without Barcelona's moody star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is pondering whether to give up playing with his national team.