Strong foundations for World Cup bid - Maldini

Italy captain Paolo Maldini believes the Azzurri can again build their World Cup challenge on a solid defence, even though it was striker Christian Vieri who earned the plaudits in their 2-0 win over Ecuador.

The Inter Milan striker scored both goals in the first half as the Italians, renowned for their solid backline, opened their campaign with a stylish victory in Sapporo.

But with Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Christian Panucci alongside Maldini, the AC Milan left-back believes that will give Italy a great base in their bid for a record-equalling fourth world crown.

‘‘We were solid, we have always been solid and hopefully we will be solid for the entire World Cup,’’ said Maldini, who was wearing the Azzurri colours for the 123rd time yesterday.

‘‘If we concentrate in our next two games I think we will go through the first round and after that we will see.

‘‘We have to be good as a team to always play like this. I think we deserved the win against Ecuador and that was the important thing.’’

However, Maldini is glad he does not have the selection headaches of coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

The likes of Italy golden boy Alessandro Del Piero and Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi were unable to force their way into the starting line-up, although Trapattoni’s decision to pair Vieri and Roma captain Francesco Totti in attack paid off.

But Maldini, who is playing in his last World Cup, said: ‘‘It is a problem for the coach but it is not my problem. I just prefer to play with great players.’’

The 63-year-old coach has admitted he will look at all the players’ fitness over the coming days before deciding whether to rotate his squad for the next two group games, against Croatia and Mexico.

‘‘It is obvious that I have to rest some players,’’ said Trapattoni.

‘‘It is very important to keep them all in good condition for the coming weeks, but I think everyone was alright in this first game.

‘‘However, there was a time at the start of the second half when some players felt pain in breathing.’’

Meanwhile, Ecuador playmaker Alex Aguinaga’s disappointment at the defeat was compounded by him limping off injured at half-time.

‘‘I was very sad to have lost, but I also have an injury that could keep me out of the next game against Mexico,’’ he said.

Coach Hernan Dario Gomez hopes his side can build on their improved performance in the second half after going behind to Vieri’s strikes in the seventh and 27th minutes.

‘‘We were a little nervous and weren’t quite ready for that, but we played well in the second half and we are not discouraged,’’ he said.

‘‘We have the strength and the preparation to go on for the next match.’’