Ghana will be making their World Cup debut when taking on Italy in their Group E clash in Hanover on Monday 12th June and, despite the Black Stars’ undoubted quality, I fear they will feel the wrath of an Azzurri side so desperate to impress following their lacklustre efforts in the 2002 finals in Japan/Korea.
Marcello Lippi’s men were on fire during their qualification campaign, winning seven of their ten matches, drawing two, and losing just the once. Emerging stars such as Alberto Gilardino and Daniele De Rossi are showing the benefits of playing alongside seasoned pros like Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro.
Indeed, this Italian side looks stronger than the one that faltered in 2002 and, despite the fact that they will be without playmaker Francesco Totti for the start of the tournament - and that one of their best forwards, Christian Vieri, will miss the finals through injury - they are still able to call upon a number of players possessing proven attacking flair.
Luca Toni, who has scored seven times in eighteen full appearances for his country, has been in cracking form for his club, Fiorentina, for whom he scored thirty one times last season, claiming the European Golden Shoe in the process. For a player of his height, he is not short in the skill and ball control departments and looks sure to play a major part in this tournament for the Azzurri.
Twenty-four-year-old Gilardino is rapidly establishing himself as a top-class striker, while, despite their advancing years, the names Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi remain synonymous with class within the upper echelons of the footballing establishment.
Ghana are by no means devoid of quality, with captain Stephen Appiah and Chelsea star Michael Essien proven at the highest level. In addition, experienced defender Samuel Kuffour, midfielder Sulley Muntari and young striker Asamoah Gyan are all capable of mixing it with the best on the International stage. One things for sure, Ghana will not disgrace themselves in this tournament.
However, when it comes to strength in depth and a proven track record at this level, Italy are head and shoulders above their African rivals and while I don’t think for one moment that this match will be a cakewalk, I can’t envisage Lippi’s men being overly extended to gain maximum points from this fixture. I reckon that opting for Italy to win 2-0 at 11/2 with expekt is where the value lies.
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