Azzurri fine-tuning for World Cup finals

Two identical 2-0 wins over Georgia and Bulgaria propelled Italy to within sights of an automatic World Cup berth in South Africa next year.

Italy are currently leading Group Eight with 20 points from eight matches and only need a draw against Ireland in their next match to make sure they stay top of the group.

If the Azzurri go down to Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland in Dublin next month, they can still make it by beating lowly Cyprus at home in the final qualifying match on October 14.

Italy's qualification was never really threatened and not because coach Marcello Lippi has an awesome squad but for the simple reason that the level of competition was very modest to say the least.

Surprises can still happen but can anyone imagine the world champions denied from the 2010 finals by the likes of Ireland, Bulgaria, Georgia, Cyprus or Montenegro?

In my opinion, Italy's dominance in the group should not be used as a yardstick to measure the team's chances of success next summer.

It will not be the case because in South Africa, the opposition will be sterner. The mighty Brazil, in-form European champions Spain and Fabio Capello's new-look England at present all look more equipped to dethrone Italy.

Many reckon that Italy do possess enough quality and guile to retain the title, but it seems pretty clear that the three sides mentioned are all on a higher level and very much advanced in their build-ups.

Lippi has an edge though over his counterparts in that the bulk of his selection currently play their football at home and with one club - Juventus.

Italy eased their way past Bulgaria last week and Lippi deployed no fewer than seven Juve players in his starting line-up.

Only Daniele de Rossi (Roma), Andrea Pirlo, Gianluca Zambrotta (both Milan) and Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina) managed to break the Juve dominance.

Juventus are a very strong outfit and are expected to be involved in a neck-and-neck race with Serie A title holders Inter in what promises to be one of the most pulsating championship races in many a year.

The fact that the Bianconeri decided to strengthen their squad with the signing of a number of international players is a huge plus for the national team. This arguably facilitates Lippi's work but it still won't be easy for the Azzurri to repeat their 2006 success next summer.

To begin with, historically-speaking, there has never been a European team that prevailed in a World Cup staged outside the continent.

Lippi seems to have a pretty good idea of the players to include in his squad, most of whom were in the squad for Germany 2006.

Amauri, however, tops Lippi's wishlist as the towering Juventus striker should become eligible to play for the country in the coming weeks.

In his fine-tuning Lippi should also consider Inter's Thiago Motta in midfield especially if Gennaro Gattuso will not return to his best after a long lay-off.

The fans are also eager to see Alberto Aquilani's performance levels with Liverpool this season and, perhaps, Antonio Cassano should also be considered for selection if he stays in form for Sampdoria.

In South Africa, one expects the Italy squad to be composed of the right mix of emerging talents and experienced players.

The level of fitness also plays a crucial role in such high-profile tournaments.

One hopes that this summer's Confederations Cup, where Italy misfired badly, will serve as an eye-opener in this regard.

Serie A statistics

1st victory for Roma, after back-to-back defeats to Genoa (2-3) and Juventus (1-3), following the 2-1 win at Siena. The victory marked coach Claudio Ranieri's debut on the Roma hot seat. The Tuscany side have lost their opening two home fixtures with an identical 1-2 scoreline (vs Milan and Roma). Bari were minutes away from recording a precious away victory over Palermo on Sunday. The Sicilians went down to a Riccardo Allegretti goal but substitute Igor Budan's last-gasp equaliser salvaged a draw for the Sicilians. This was the first drawn result between Palermo and Bari at the Renzo Barbera stadium since the 2-2 stalemate of April 2003.

3 goals in 24 minutes changed the tide in favour of Udinese as the northeasterners recovered from a 1-2 half-time deficit to beat Catania 4-2 at home. The Sicilians played the match of their lives but an Antonio Di Natale hat-trick after the break shattered all their dreams of a repeat of the 1-0 win at the Friuli stadium on April 29, 2007.

3 teams - Genoa, Juventus and Sampdoria - lead the standings with maximum points. Genoa were in top form as they eased past Napoli for the third successive year. Napoli's most recent win in Genoa dates back to August 2001 (2-0 in Serie B). After a shaky start, Juventus were in commanding form as they scored twice after the break to halt Lazio's perfect start to the campaign. The last Lazio success at home in the league against Juventus goes back to December 6, 2003 (2-0).

4 penalties were scored last weekend. Sergio Floccari and Houssine Kharja scored a penalty each to help Genoa come from behind and beat Napoli 4-1. Giuseppe Mascara had restored Catania's lead by scoring from the penalty spot before the break. Midway through the second half, Catania were undone by a strong Udinese fightback. One of the Friulani's goals came from an Antonio Di Natale 69th-minute penalty.

12 years had to pass for Sampdoria to return to winning ways at Atalanta's home ground as the Blucerchiati, despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the second half, pursued with their perfect start thanks to a Daniele Mannini second-half winner. The last drawn result between these two sides dates back to November 2004 (0-0). Prior to Sunday's success, Sampdoria had always finished on the losing side in their previous three visits to Bergamo.

24 goals were scored on the third day: 13 coming from the hosts and 11 from the visitors, who managed four victories. Foreigners contributed with 11 goals while there were nine first-half goals. Total number of goals scored so far amount to 76. Hernan Crespo, Houssine Kharja (both Genoa), Igor Budan (Palermo) and John Arne Riise (Roma) came on as substitutes and found the back of the net. Di Natale currently tops the scorers' sheet with six goals (two from penalties). The Italy forward is followed by Marek Hamsik on the three-goal mark.