Italy training

IRENE, South Africa

The day after a bruising 1-1 draw with New Zealand, Italy were back in training this morning at Southdowns College just south of Pretoria. Some images:

First to arrive: Coach Marcello Lippi, rolling out the balls bocce-style.

Goalkeeper Marchetti, assistant Paolo Bertelli, Cannavaro, Marchisio and Chiellini jog around the perimeter.

Andrea Pirlo took part, but spent most of it on the edges. Typical pose here, and don't expect to see him play any role in the Azzurri's final group game against Slovakia on Thursday. Lippi: "That's the first time in 15 days he's touched the ball."

Lippi did a press conference later at nearby Cornwall Hill College, transformed into Casa Azzurri for the tournament and just a long free kick away from the U.S. training base. Apart from a trio of us Canadian reporters very nearly walking in to have coffee with Fabio Cannavaro before the training - the last sentinel stopped us - there was very little news of note. Pirlo's back in training, but he's almost certainly still out. Lippi doesn't anticipate making changes - but wouldn't say publicly even if he was inclined that way.

  

Comments

[Rocco]

I'm a big Azzurri fan, but must say that I truly think this is it for Italy. They just don't seem to find the goals, the finishing in the final third of the pitch to score. The defense has allowed two goals on two shots on net. Cannavaro has made fatal mistakes and is, alas, a former player. If they don't find their form on Thursday, it will be Addio Azzurri (as we Italian fans conduct our preferred ritual for fending off the evil eye)!