A few surprises for Italy vs Portuagal

By Dave Eadevic
March 29 2004

Giovanni Trapattoni handling of his current injury crisis has thrown up a few surprises in the squad, one of the major surprises must be the inclusion of Giuseppe Favalli, who is getting his forst call up since a 2-2 draw against Spain in 1998.

But his sick list is impressively long, with just a quick glane reveals the talents Trap will be withou, Goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, defenders Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, and Nicola Legrottaglie, plus forwards Alessandro Del Piero, Filippo Inzaghi and Antonio Cassano are all unavailable.

Toldo's abscence means a chance for Roma's Ivan Pelizzoli to enter as cover for Buffon and may have a good chance to make the full squad for Portugal.

Trapattoni also included in-form AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, as well as Simone Perrotta, Mauro Camoranesi and Stefano Fiore. Gennaro Gattuso and Cristiano Zanetti are also expected to be given a chance to shine at some stage. Without Del Piero and Cassano, Juventus FC pair Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli were selected to add firepower up front.

Full Squad:

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Ivan Pelizzoli (Roma), Daniele Adani (Juventus), Alessandro Birindelli (Juventus), Marcello Castellini (Parma), Matteo Ferrari (Parma), Giuseppe Favalli (Lazio), Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Giuseppe Pancaro (Milan), Christian Panucci (Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Stefano Fiore (Lazio), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Carlo Nervo (Bologne), Simone Perrotta (Chievo), Cristiano Zanetti (Internazionale), Bernardo Corradi (Lazio), Marco Di Vaio (Juventus), Fabrizio Miccoli (Juventus), Francesco Totti (Roma), Christian Vieri (Internazionale).