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WC 2010: History books bode well Sunday 25 November, 2007

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Italy’s record against their Group 8 opponents is very encouraging, although the Republic of Ireland caused a memorable 1994 World Cup upset.

The Azzurri are expected to sail through the qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa and have an excellent history against the other teams in the group.

Bulgaria have won two of their 13 meetings with Italy and drawn the other four, but have scored just 12 goals to 25 conceded.

The sides have already crossed paths in the World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw in 1986 and Roberto Baggio inspired the 2-1 semi-final victory in 1994 with a brace of goals.

The Republic of Ireland also met Il Divin Codino in USA ’94 and were the only team to beat them over 90 minutes.

That tournament opened with a shock result, as Ireland came away 1-0 winners in Giants Stadium thanks to an 11th-minute Ray Houghton strike.

Italy went on to lose the Final at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on penalties against Brazil.

Although it was memorable, that remains Ireland’s only victory over the Azzurri compared to seven defeats.

Cyprus are among the minnows of Group 8 and have lost five of their six meetings with Italy, drawing only 1-1 in February 1983. That was one of only two goals the Cypriots have put past the peninsula side, having conceded 17.

Georgia are becoming familiar faces in qualifying, as they were also in Italy’s group for 1998 and 2002 as well as the recent Euro 2008 process.

In their total six meetings there have been five Azzurri victories and just one draw, 0-0 in September 1997, while the Georgians netted only twice and conceded 10 goals.

Their most representative figure in Serie A is Milan defender Kakhaber Kaladze.

Montenegro can count on Roma striker Mirko Vucinic’s insider knowledge of the Italian game, as well as former Milan star Dejan Savicevic, who now works with the FA.

Although Italy have faced them when they were part of Serbia-Montenegro, registering just three 1-1 draws from 2002 to 2005, this will be the first official encounter.

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