Del Piero was the hero against Mexico (Allsport).
DEL PIERO SET FOR RECALL
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Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni is under
pressure to promote Juventus striker Alessandro del Piero to his team for
Tuesday's match against World Cup co-hosts Korea.
Del Piero was used as a substitute for Italy's three opening-round games, but
he scored their all-important late equaliser against Mexico which earned them a
place in the second round.
Now the Italian media, who have had the opportunity to watch the Azzurri at
training in recent days, are convinced Trapattoni will replace AC Milan striker
Filippo Inzaghi with Del Piero.
If that happened, Nerazzurro forward Christian Vieri would play alongside Del
Piero, with playmaker Francesco Totti in support. It would mean Filippo Inzaghi
dropping to the bench.
Trapattoni will be without Parma defender Fabio Cannavaro who is serving a
one-match suspension.
And Lazio centre-back Alessandro Nesta is still in doubt because of a foot
injury he picked up in the 2-1 loss to Croatia on June 8.
In the midfield, Trapattoni is expected to plump for Gianluca Zambrotta,
Damiano Tommasi, Christian Zanetti and Francesco Coco.
Italy have yet to impress the fans after a close qualification in Group G,
having only won one match against Ecuador, drawn against Mexico and lost against
Croatia in the first round.
Totti, the Roma captain, says the real Italy has yet to emerge after patchy
Group G performances which also included a 2-0 win over Ecuador and a 1-1 draw
with Mexico.
"Our World Cup begins now," Totti told Gazzetta Dello Sport.
"Korea have played very well but we can score against them at any given time.
I want to rescue a World Cup that so far has been adverse,"
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