Soccer: Italy to play Cameroon, Switzerland
'Six squad places in contention' says Lippi
04 February, 18:15
(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Italy will play Cameroon on March
3 in Monte Carlo and Switzerland on June 5 in Geneva ahead of
its defence of the World Cup in South Africa starting June 14,
the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) said Thursday.A third warm-up match has been slated for June 3 and FIGC is talking to the Mexican soccer federation.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said Thursday that the formation of the squad was "at an advanced state" and only six places were in contention. Italy is seen as having one of the easiest World Cup groups, playing Paraguay on June 14, New Zealand on June 20 and Slovakia on June 24.
Lippi's men are fifth favourite in the latest aggregate of online World Cup betting behind Spain, Brazil, England and Argentina and slightly ahead of Germany, Netherlands and France.
Spain are 4/1, Brazil 5/1, England 11/2, Argentina 9/1, Italy 10-12/1, Germany 12-14/1, Netherlands 14/1 and France 14-16/1.
The 19th FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 when hosts South Africa play Mexico in Johannesburg and ends in the same city a month later.
