Lippi gives big clubs in Serie A the cold shoulder

FANS of the Italian national team used to worry about the cliques forged around the blocks of players from the four big clubs in Serie A - not anymore.

When the Azzurri take the field against Slovenia in their World Cup Group Five match tomorrow their attack will not include strikers from Inter Milan, Juventus or champions AC Milan.

Although AS Roma’s Francesco Totti looks likely to play in an advanced midfield role, there is a strong probability that the two forwards will be recruited from teams who were playing in Serie B last season - Sicilian club Palermo and Sardinian’s Cagliari.

Palermo striker Luca Toni is favourite to lead the line. The powerfully-built striker is likely to get the nod ahead of Parma’s Alberto Gilardino. Barely heard of a few months ago, Cagliari’s Mauro Esposito has a chance to make his debut alongside Toni after impressing so much with three goals in five games. Marcello Lippi has also drafted in Palermo’s Cristian Zaccardo.