Mauro Camoranesi believes that no side will want to play Italy (12-1 to win the tournament) at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
The Juventus winger has been named in coach Marcello Lippi’s 30-man preliminary list despite having a disappointing qualifying campaign for the Azzurri.
Whether or not he is given the nod for the final 23-man squad remains to be seen but the Argentine-born Italian feels confident that the reigning champions are still the side to beat at the World Cup, four years on from glory in Germany.
“This is a very strong Italy squad for the World Cup and if I look at our opponents, nobody wants to take us on,” he said.
“The other teams know they’d be facing a side that has lifting the trophy as its sole objective.”
Whether or not teams such as Spain (4-1 favourites to lift the trophy), Brazil (5-1) and England (6-1 to win their first World Cup since 1966) will be quaking in their boots following the Juventus’ winger’s comments is open to question but Camoranesi also revealed whom he feels might have a say in proceedings this summer.
“History tells us the favourites for the World Cup are always the same, basically: Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and France,” he added. “On top of them Spain have proved they are very strong by winning Euro 2008 and will fight to the end.”
The 33-year-old also believes that England have a chance with Fabio Capello in charge as they have improved “a great deal” in recent times.
While the market suggests that Italy could have their work cut out to defend their title over the coming weeks, they are 1-14 to make it out of Group F, with Slovakia priced at 5-4, Paraguay on offer at 1-2 and New Zealand the outsiders at 12-1.
Spain have never won the sport’s most prestigious event but are favourites to go all the way this summer and are, not surprisingly, 21-10 favourites to be top European team.
England are next best priced at 13-5, while Holland trade at 13-2, the Italians can be backed at 7-1 with Germany on offer at 15-2.
Many pundits are predicting a wide open contest in southern Africa this time around and Italy’s aging squad might find the conditions catch up with them, despite Camoranesi’s bullish comments heading into the pre-tournament warm-up games.
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