SOCCER: LIPPI EYES SWEDEN

SOCCER: LIPPI EYES SWEDEN

(ANSA) - Cesena, November 17 - Italy coach Marcello Lippi is using Wednesday's friendly against Sweden as another chance to fill in the few blanks in his squad when Italy defend its world crown in South Africa next year.

The World Cup-winning coach has made nine changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Netherlands on Saturday.

Livorno midfielder Antonio Candreva is confirmed along with Juventus stalwart Giorgio Chiellini.

Candreva, 22, impressed against the Dutch and has his eye on becoming a back-up midfielder for the World Cup Campaign.

Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini, who also stood out after coming on in the second half against Netherlands, is to start instead of Alberto Gilardino.

The attack is completed by Fiorentina winger Marco Marchionni, in for Genoa winger Raffaele Palladino, and Antonio Di Natale, who replaces Mauro Camoranesi.

At a press conference Tuesday, Lippi bruskly pre-empted the usual questions about Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano, who is vainly seeking a recall, and Juve's Brazilian striker Amauri who is set to become Italian through a distant relative in March.

"I only have a few things to say today, and they're all about Italy-Sweden. I'm not interested in Cassano, Amauri, all that nonsense".

Lippi has refused to budge in the face of vocal public support for Cassano.

As for Amauri, he recently said merely: "We'll see".

On Monday, Pazzini let off steam about the speculation surrounding Amauri.

"I would understand it if he were half-Italian," he said.

Other players handed a chance to press their claims on Wednesday night are Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti; defenders Christian Maggio of Napoli and Domenico Criscito of Genoa; and midfielders Davide Biondini of Cagliari and Riccardo Montolivo of Fiorentina.

Di Natale has been handed the captain's armband instead of Fabio Cannavaro who, like Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluca Zambrotta and Andrea Pirlo, has been given permission to return to club training early.