Buffon warns Italy beware of Montenegro

ITALY and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said his team would be wrong to underestimate Montenegro and focus on the top-of-the-group showdown against Ireland next week.

The Azzurri are level on 10 points with Ireland at the top of Group 8 after four games and take on Giovanni Trapattoni’s side on April 1.

“The game against Ireland will be fascinating,” said Buffon. “But first we face Montenegro and only when that game finishes will we focus on the next game.”

Buffon, who missed the last two qualifiers with a shoulder injury, said: “With Montenegro I will mark my 91st appearance with Italy, equalling Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero and for me that is an honour.”

Italy coach Marcello Lippi gave a hint as to his starting team for Saturday’s qualifier by separating 11 players from his squad yesterday to work alone.

The “team” comprised Buffon, centre-backs Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini, full-backs Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso, midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Angelo Palombo and forwards Vincenzo Iaquinta and Udinese pair Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella.

If that is indeed Lippi’s first choice team it means he will be adopting a 4-3-3 formation with Quagliarella and Di Natale flanking Iaquinta up front.

Zambrotta left the training session early after hurting his knee but Italian doctors said it was not serious.

Italy currently top qualifying group eight ahead of the Republic of Ireland, who they meet in Bari next Wednesday. Montenegro are fourth in the six-team group but have yet to win.