A header from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would be enough for Italy coach Marcello Lippi if it meant his stuttering side beat Bulgaria tonight and moved to the brink of World Cup qualification. The world champions have been woefully short of form in recent months and needed two Kakha Kaladze own goals to win 2-0 in Georgia on Saturday having not scored in three previous matches.
"I don't feel goals is a problem. Tomorrow one of their defenders can score again, or Buffon with a header. The important thing is to win," Lippi said. The Group Eight leaders would go four points clear of second-placed Ireland with win in Turin and would then need just a point against the Irish in Dublin on October 10 to progress to next year's finals in South Africa. Creativity has been lacking in midfield and in a training match yesterday Lippi left struggling playmaker Andrea Pirlo out of what looked like a potential starting line-up.
The World Cup winner refused to name his team but a switch back to 4-3-3 from 4-4-2 is possible. "This time I will have to think about the team right up until the last moment. Given Saturday's match it is right to make changes," he said. "This team has quality, not just athletic but technical quality. We have better weapons than critics say." Spain host Estonia knowing that a victory could earn them their World Cup spot.
The European champions have a perfect record - seven straight wins - and the Liverpool striker Fernando Torres said: "I still can't believe that we haven't qualified." Spain will qualify with a win at the Romano de Merida stadium as long as Bosnia-Herzegovina do not beat Turkey. * With agencies Italy v Bulgaria, KO 10.50pm, Aljazeera + 1
