Italy wait on Del Piero fitness for Cyprus match

05/09/2008 15:54

ROME (Reuters) - Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero is better after suffering a minor leg muscle strain but remains a doubt for the world champions’ World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, coach Marcello Lippi said on the eve of Saturday’s game.

"Today he trained separately (from the rest of the team). Tomorrow we’ll make another assessment. He might be ready for Cyprus," Lippi told reporters ahead of the match in Larnaca.

Lippi, who is making his competitive return to the Azzurri bench after being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni following Euro 2008, said there was no danger his team would take Cyprus lightly in their opening qualifier for South Africa 2010.

"Underestimating the opposition and the environment is not allowed. These are mistakes that intelligent people don’t make and our group is mature," the 2006 World Cup-winning coach said.

"We want our first three points. The defence of the title of world champions also passes through here."

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon dismissed speculation that Manchester City were preparing a bid for him similar to the 100-million-euro offer that Chelsea made AC Milan for Kaka according to media reports.

"We are talking about fantasy football, because there’s lots of talk of princely offers, but I like to touch things first .....continued below

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to see how real they are," he was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport’s website (www.gazzetta.it).

"I don’t know if anyone could really offer 100 million for me, I don’t think so, I’m six years older than Kaka."

(Reporting by Paul Virgo; Editing by Sonia Oxley)

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