10 key players in Italy’s World Cup team

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10 key players in Italy’s World Cup team

10 key players in Italy’s World Cup team

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Considered as the lynchpin of the Italian side, 35-year-old ANDREA PIRLO has been likened in the past to an aging wine, because his effortless classiness on the pitch improves with age. Team manager Cesare Prandelli will be hoping Pirlo can revive some of the dynamism that helped Italy win the World Cup in 2006.Photo: Wikipedia

As Italy’s main striker, the pressure will be on Milan’s MARIO BALOTELLI to repeat his stellar performance in Euro 2012, when he scored a hat-trick against Germany, which took Italy to the final with Spain. The other thing the hot-headed 23-year-old will have to worry about is keeping his cool. Photo: AFP

ALESSIO CERCI is another key scorer for Italy, having racked up 13 goals for his team, Torino, in Serie A last season. The success has also been noticed by the UK’s Premiership, with clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea reportedly being keen to snap him up.Photo: Wikipedia

This will be team captain's GIANLUIGI BUFFON’s fifth time as goalkeeper for Italy in the World Cup. Having conceded only two goals during seven games in the World Cup 2006 – one an own-goal, the other a penalty - the 36-year-old is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.Photo: Wikipedia

This will be midfielder DANIELLE DE ROSSI’s third consecutive World Cup tournament with the Italian side. The Roma player made it onto the squad despite being banned for three games after punching an opponent during a game in March, and Prandelli being known for leaving players out due to bad behaviour.Photo: Wikipedia

Parma’s ANTONIO CASSANO is expected to lead Italy on the attacking line. In March, the 31-year old said he was in “fine shape” after losing 10kg through eating less focaccia. Having missed out on the 2006 tournament due to poor form and the 2010 one after a fall out with coach Marcello Lippi, 2014 will be his first World Cup.Photo: Wikipedia

Juventus defender GIORGIO CHIELLINI makes up the core of Prandelli’s side. He made his debut for the national team in 2014 under Marcelo Lippi’s management, but missed out on the 2006 World Cup and shared the loss in 2010.Photo: Wikipedia

With his strong ability to pass the ball, Juventus centre-back ANDREA BARZAGLI is seen as another key player. The 32-year-old first joined the national side in 2004 and was part of Italy’s winning team in 2006.Photo: Wikipedia

Centre-back LEONARDO BONUCCI, who plays for Juventus, has emerged as a vital component of Italy’s defence since joining the national side three years ago. Bonucci has also been known to calm his friend and tempestuous teammate Mario Balotelli. “Unfortunately he does some crazy things,” he said of Balotelli in 2012. “He’s spontaneous, but he’s a good kid.”Photo: Wikipedia

Born in 1992, MATTIA DI SCIGLIO is one of the youngest players on the Italian side. He made his professional debut for Milan in 2011 and joined the national side in 2013.Photo: Wikipedia

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