Italy

The reigning World Champions have seen their stock plummet in the consequent four years. So much so that the Italians have rarely received a column inch outside their own country in the lead up to the tournament.

Since that Berlin final, the Azzuri limped into Euro 2008 only to fail spectacularly, and followed that up with another inconsistent qualifying performance for 2010, with a disastrous Confederations Cup campaign occurring in between.

Marcelo Lippi replaced Roberto Donadoni following the quarter final exit in Vienna, hoping to reproduce the magic of the last World Cup. With only one game played thus far in 2010 (0-0 with Cameroon in March) it is difficult to gauge the positives of Lippi's new squad, which is a mix of the old and the new.

In Germany Italy were not expected to triumph, but a good start against Ghana and having one of the World Cup's greatest ever international back-fours gave them the momentum to carry them forward, but a repeat seems unlikely.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Italy are four time winners of the World Cup and one of only two countries to retain the trophy (1938). For all their years of success, including further victories in 1982 and in Germany four years ago, Italy are the only country to have ever lost on penalties in three consecutive tournaments (90, 94, 98). Additionally, the 1966 vintage came home from England only to be met by a barrage of tomatoes having lost to North Korea.   

SCHEDULE- Group E

Paraguay            June 14th- Cape Town

New Zealand     June 20th- Nelspruit

Slovakia            June 24th- Johannesburg

Italy have probably been handed the easiest group of all the top seeds. The defending champions will be expected to sweep aside all three teams with consummate ease.

New Zealand were defeated 4-3 a year ago in a friendly but the World Cup is a different matter entirely. Slovakia are making their first appearance since achieving independence in 1990, but the talents of Marek Hamsik will be known to the Italy squad. Paraguay have had a difficult run up to the tournament, losing to Ireland in Dublin and drawing with Ivory Coast.

KEY PLAYERS

Italy have great players in every department. The Problem however, is that they are not as outstanding as previous generations.

In Toto Di Natale, the Italians are blessed with a quality goalscorer. The Udinese front man had a great season goal wise despite his teams relegation worries. Without his 25+ goals, the north-eastern club would have dropped to Serie 'B'. 

Chiellini has become one of the national team's most important defenders since 2008. The Juventus defender is strong, powerful and tactically astute. The experience of having Fabio Cannavarro beside him for club and country will serve both well.  

Danielle De Rossi will play are more prominent role this time out. Having seen red against the US in Germany, the Roman was banned until the final, where he came on to slot a penalty in the shoot out. Without Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, De Rossi will take on greater responsibility in the midfield.

Thankfully for Italy, they still produce great goalkeepers and there is still no one better than Gigi Buffon. The former chess champion has been Italian number one since the late 1990s.  

ONE TO WATCH- Giampaolo Pazzini

The Sampdoria hit man has been a revelation this season in inspiring Samp to the Champions League. Was, however, sent off on his debut against Ireland in Bari.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Despite their faults, such as a new lack of defensive stability, an aging midfield and an unproven international strike force, the Azzuri are still capable of winning the World Cup.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Exiting at the end of three games is just not going to happen as their group is too weak, but even a second round exit to a lesser nation would be an embarrassment for Lippi and his squad

PREDICTION

The quarter finals may be as far as can possibly get, where a meeting with Brazil awaits. The memory of last years 3-0 defeat in the Confederations Cup has not yet disappeared.