Lippi hints at Di Natale omission aheadof opener

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has dropped the strongest hint yet that his country’s best goalscorer will not start tonight’s World Cup Group F opener with Paraguay.

Last night Lippi put his men through their paces in an 11-a-side practice match featuring what seems likely to be his starting XI, before telling the media: “If you don’t understand my line-up you should change your trade”.

That team did not feature veteran midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who yesterday announced his intention to retire from international duty after the World Cup, or Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale, far and away the best goalscorer in Serie A last season with 29 goals.