Italy coach Marcello Lippi has confirmed that he already has his
World Cup squad in mind, claiming last minute call ups are unlikely
to occur.
La Nazionale have just three games to fine tune and polish the team
ahead of their appearance in South Africa next summer.
Lippi has hinted that he already has his final squad of 23 in mind,
suggesting there is no room for surprises come June.
"The World Cup is drawing nearer and we have to start perfecting
this group," Lippi told the press.
"Our journey is now in its final stages and it's a decisive time
for us. This is the first ritiro since we qualified and I
have only three games left before the tournament.
"I don't have much time for verification. We have worked with a
group of 35 players - 23 of them will be going to South
Africa.
"It will be very difficult for someone to be called up to the group
come March, but not impossible."
La Nazionale clash with the Netherlands on Saturday and then Sweden
the following Wednesday. Their next friendly is in March, but the
opponent has not been confirmed.
"I would like to face an African team for that game," concluded the
coach.
Speculation around the peninsula is rife that Antonio Cassano is
unlikely to be picked for the World Cup. The Sampdoria man has
never been picked by Lippi since his return to the helm in
2008.