Totti and Vieri to lead Italian attack as Del Piero left out

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed Christian Vieri and Francesco Totti will start their opening World Cup match against Ecuador.

Trapattoni named his team on Friday, following a practice match, and also in are Atalanta midfielder Cristiano Doni and Roma defender Christian Panucci.

There was no place for Alessandro del Piero, with the Juventus man losing out to Roma’s Totti for the position of support striker.

Totti’s club-mate Vincenzo Montella was disappointed to miss out on a place in attack for Monday’s match in Sapporo.

‘‘I thought at one point I would play,’’ he said. ‘‘I thought Del Piero and I would play, but Trapattoni has had a change of mind.’’