Internationals

Lippi: Rossi Is Ready For Greece

Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes Giuseppe Rossi is ready to make his full senior international debut for his side when they clash with Greece tomorrow night...

Nov 18, 2008 2:59:30 PM

Marcello Lippi - Bulgaria-Italy - WC 2010 Qualify (Grazia Neri)

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Marcello Lippi - Bulgaria-Italy - WC 2010 Qualify (Grazia Neri)

Teams

Italy

Players

Giuseppe Rossi

The Azzurri travel to Athens to play a friendly with the 2004 European champions and Rossi is set to start.

The Villarreal man has only previously played 20 minutes for the senior team, in a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

Lippi is confident in the striker's ability and he has explained his decision to start with the former Manchester United man.

"Yes, Rossi will play from the start," said Lippi during this afternoon's press conference.

"He is the only player who I have called up from the under-21 side.

"Rossi has played in three important leagues and I think he is more mature compared to players his age. I think he is ready."

"Even if our players play in other leagues then we still follow them."

Italy will be without several key players. Morgan De Sanctis is likely to start in goal in Athens as Gianluigi Buffon and Marco Amelia are still absent through injury.

Salvatore Landolina