Scots clash is Cassano's chance to shine

He has been called the new Roberto Baggio but also the bad boy of Italian football and today against Scotland Roma striker Antonio Cassano has the chance to prove he is the future of the Azzurri.

Picked ahead of Juve's Alessandro Del Piero in Marcello Lippi's squad, Cassano will almost certainly start alongside his Roma team-mate Francesco Totti in a three-pronged attack led by Parma's Alberto Gilardino.

With Lippi unimpressed by Del Piero's form and Christian Vieri and Vincenzo Montella sidelined yet again with injury, Italy's attack has an unfamiliar look but devastating potential.

Hugely gifted but with a reputation for being hot-headed and a problem for managers, Cassano has not played for his country since being the only bright spot in Italy's early exit from Euro 2004 under former boss Giovanni Trapattoni.

The stern Lippi is not a coach given to excessive praise of his players but when asked recently what Cassano will bring to his side he cited: "Inventiveness, his ability to make the unexpected happen, his creative spark, his skills".

Those who have watched him for Roma over the past two seasons know that Cassano can also bring dark moods, indiscipline and tantrums yet there is a widespread belief that he can put his troubled youth behind him.

Gilardino has also continued to impress this season despite being trapped in a relegation struggle with Parma while Totti, seeking to restore his international reputation after the spitting incident at Euro 2004, should be fit to play despite struggling with a foot problem.

If Lippi does opt for a 'trident' attack then his midfield will probably feature Milan pair Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso with Juve's Argentine born wide-man Mauro Camoranesi on the right flank.

Nesta injured

Lippi has had to reshuffle his defence with Milan's Alessandro Nesta missing with a foot injury and left-back Gianluca Zambrotta suspended.

Italy lead Group Five with nine points from four games, two points ahead of Norway and Slovenia, but have three consecutive away games after today.

Scotland are next to bottom in the group after picking up just two points from their opening three games, including a 1-1 draw against Moldova. While qualification already looks a tough task, they are hoping to begin a revival under new manager Walter Smith.

The former Rangers and Everton manager will take charge for the first time since replacing German Berti Vogts and will hope to do much better than the debut appearances of the two previous coaches.

Craig Brown's first match was a 3-1 defeat by the Italians in 1993 and Vogts' opening game three years ago was a humiliating 5-0 hammering by France.

Smith's plans have been hampered by injuries to attacking midfielders James McFadden and Paul Dickov and there could be a new face with Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley in with a chance of a debut.

Smith says he wants to see a fresh attitude from Scotland: "You obviously have to take the opposition into account and it would be wrong not to do so, especially with the level of players Italy have, but that won't be uppermost in my mind," he said.

"The main thing for us is to show everyone that we are able to lift ourselves and get better performances."

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