An injury to Gianluigi Buffon that will sideline the goalkeeper for Sunday’s Group F match against New Zealand is a major blow for Italy, defender Giorgio Chiellini has admitted (2/11 Italy 11/2 draw 14/1 New Zealand – match betting).
Buffon, the Juventus stopper, suffered a herniated disc and is out indefinitely after being substituted during his team’s 1-1 draw with Paraguay in their World Cup Group F opener.
He will miss Sunday’s match against New Zealand in Nelspruit and almost certainly their final group game against Slovakia on June 24 in Johannesburg.
“Gigi has charisma,” said Chiellini.
“He gives strength to others. His saves’ worth are like goals from strikers.
“I know what it means for him to play at the World Cup.
“We miss Gianluigi as a man and we hope he will recover as soon as possible.”
However, the Juventus defender believes Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti will be a good replacement.
“Federico has matured,” said Chiellini.
“He proved against Paraguay that he is a good goalkeeper and he is calm and ready to help the team.”
Chiellini believes the team will improve as the tournament goes on (8/15 Italy – Group F winner).
“Italy can do well,” he said. “We want to score more goals and we will continue to grow as a team.
“Perhaps the draw between New Zealand and Slovakia is a point in our favour but we will have to show a lot of strength to beat New Zealand and finish first of our group in order to avoid facing Holland in the next round.”
Chiellini expects a tough match against New Zealand, a side Italy faced last year in a friendly in Pretoria which ended 4-3 in favour of the reigning world champions.
“New Zealand are a very physical side, mentally strong and dangerous in dead-ball situations,” Chiellini said.
“They take few risks and I remember last year they scored two goals against us because of dead-ball situations.
“We need to bring more flair in attack and take more shots.
“I don’t want to think about a draw.”
Italy will also be without playmaker Andrea Pirlo for the clash against New Zealand but are hopeful the AC Milan man will return in time for the match against Slovakia.
Meanwhile, Marchetti says he is worried about the official Jabulani ball ahead of his first ever World Cup start.
The 27-year-old Cagliari goalkeeper said: “We know the ball does unexpected things and the goalkeepers, like defenders and strikers have to expect a change of trajectory or a strange bounce.
“The pitches are heavily watered so the ball skips off the surface really quickly and hence that makes things much harder.”
Marchetti also agreed with England coach and compatriot Fabio Capello that this is the worst ball he’s ever played with.
He added: “It’s a difficult ball, I think it’s the worst. Gigi (Buffon) and Morgan (De Sanctis) who have played in previous World Cups and have the experience of other balls say it’s the worst of all time.
“The thing that makes you understand just how bad it is, is that all players are complaining about it.
“The flight changes unexpectedly. High balls, low balls, the flight is not that of a normal ball.
“It’s difficult to read and goes faster than normal balls.”
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Slovakia (150/1 to win the tournament) midfielder Miroslav Karhan has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a recurring Achilles tendon injury.
South Africa (21/10 to qualify from Group A) midfielder Andile Jali’s place in the World Cup is under threat after he was sent to the USA for tests on his heart.
Australian football fans have been dealt a significant blow with the news that Harry Kewell is a major doubt ahead of the World Cup in South Africa this summer (125/1 Australia – World Cup 2010 outright).