FOX Sports - World Cup - Changes coming for Italy

"Lippi's plan will include Inzaghi'
Could it be true?

An Italian newspaper headline blared just that on Tuesday. This comes after an admission by Lippi that it was the wrong decision to insert Del Piero over Inzaghi in the closing half of the United States game.

We know Del Piero won't get the late sub but who will Inzaghi start over?

It will either be Toni or Gilardino obviously, with Gilardino citing ankle problems and Toni still unable to find the back of the net since the Fiorentina season ended.

Inzaghi is know simply as a goal striker, very prolific at that and he shines on the national stage.

Midfield
The midfield is also an area of change with Perotta out with an injury and de Rossi suspended. Look for Camoranesi, the Aussie playing for Juventus, to step in and reprise his second half role against Ghana. He is carrying a yellow card.
Also Gennaro Gattuso, the best beard in the World Cup, will get a start in place of the suspended de Rossi whom he replaced on Saturday. The Milan midfielder will pick up right where he left off in SerieA battling Pavel Nedved.

Good news for Toni, if he does play, he will not have to face his Fiorentina teammate Thomas Ujfalusi who will sit out with a red card.

Looking Ahead...
Adriano Aims to Draw Italy and Exact Revenge

The Brazilian and Inter striker wants the world champions to face Italy right away, in the knockout stage and round of 16. Adriano has received stinging criticism in Italy for his performances with Inter. He scored 19 goals this past season.

'Cannavaro and Nesta are very good players. It is hard to turn them around with the ball. I know they'll create a lot of difficulties against Brazil,' he said.
'I just wish I have a chance. If I do, I'll score without hesitation,' he said.
Adriano broke a taboo by naming the team he would like to face in the second round.

World Cup Standings
6.20.2006
5:45 p.m.
Germany and England just won their groups, Sweden and Ecuador also advanced, and you can add Trinidad to the list of eliminated. In parentheses the change from yesterday is noted, the - indicates the score got worse while the plus indicates it improved.

1) Brazil 3.25 (no change)
2) Argentina 3.60 (-.03)
3) England 5.95 (+.67)
4) Germany 7.31 (+.59)
5) Spain 8.27 ( -.08)
6) Italy 11.11 (-.23)

the rest
7) Netherlands
8) France
9) Portugal
10) Sweden
11) Czech Republic
12) Ghana
13) Switzerland
14) Mexico
15) Australia
16) Ukraine
17) Ecuador
18) Croatia
19) Korea
20) USA
21) Japan
22) Tunisia
23) Angola
24) Saudi Arabia



Three Reasons to Abolish Interleague Play
a.k.a
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Kansas City Royals

Tonight, 8:10 P.m.
Kaufman Stadium
Good seats still avaiable

Kip Wells (season debut)
vs
Mark Redman (former Succo)
3-4 5.68 ERA

A look at the bottom of the MLB Standings

29) Pirates 26-45 .366
30) Kansas City 19-49 .279

Advantage: KC

Royals are 26 games out of first
Pirates 17.5
Advantage: KC

Royals elimination number is 67
Pirates 76
Advantage: KC

KC's current streak is one win
The Pirates is five losses
Advantage: Pirates

KC 2-4 in Interleague Play
Pirates 1-5
Advantage: Pirates

KC is 10-19 at home
The Pirates are 8-25 on the road
Advantage: Pirates

KC is 5-15 vs lefties
The Pirates 6-19
Advantage: Pirates

KC has been outscored by 155
The Pirates by 30
Advantage: KC

KC has lost 10 one run games
The Pirates have lost 21 one run games
Advantage: Pirates

In their last 10 games each team is 4-6
Advantage: Push

There you have it by a score of 5-4-1, in this series at least the Pirates are the best, or as you may look at it, the worst.

My predicition
KC wins game one 25-2, then MLB goes on strike until the series is over

-n