World Kick Off

According to the Italian bookmakers, Alessandro Del Piero will be preferred to Antonio Di Natale for the Azzurri’s first match of Euro 2008 against Holland.

Italy open up their Group C campaign against the Dutch in Berne on June 9, and the speculation has already started as to what starting XI Coach Roberto Donadoni will select.

Donadoni’s 4-3-3 system will almost certainly, barring injuries, see Luca Toni play at centre forward, with Mauro Camoranesi on the right.

Antonio Di Natale was originally believed to be the favourite to take the left-side role, having played in that position in the final qualifying games, and in the recent friendly matches against Portugal and Spain.

However Di Natale has come under threat ever since Donadoni named both Alex Del Piero and Antonio Cassano in his Euro 2008 squad.

According to the Italian bookmakers, Del Piero will win the race to start against Holland, with Di Natale and Cassano having to settle for places on the bench.

Christian Panucci will also be preferred to Fabio Grosso in defence, allowing Gianluca Zambrotta to take up his left back role, while Gennaro Gattuso is preferred to Milan club colleague Massimo Ambrosini in midfield.

Team to face Holland according to Italian bookmakers: (4-3-3). Buffon, Panucci, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Zambrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, De Rossi, Camoranesi, Toni, Del Piero.

Anthony Sormani