Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will miss New Zealand game

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of Sunday's Group F match with New Zealand because of a herniated disc in his back.

The 32-year-old was injured during Monday's 1-1 draw against Paraguay and substituted at half-time.

There are fears that he may not play again during the World Cup.

Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said: "It's not easy to make a prognosis but it's a small margin and Buffon strongly wants to recuperate."

Buffon initially said he hoped "to recover in two days" but the Azzurri may now have to defend their status as world champions without him.

The world's most expensive goalkeeper - he cost Juventus £33m when they signed him in 2001 - missed training on Wednesday and tests on his injured back showed a small herniated disc as well as a sciatic problem.

"The hernia is small, but even a small hernia can cause great pain," added Castellacci.


"There is a desire on Buffon's behalf to recuperate, a chance that we have no right to take away."

Buffon was replaced by substitute Federico Marchetti against Paraguay and the Cagliari keeper looks likely to start against the All Whites in Nelspruit.

But defender Giorgio Chiellini, who also plays alongside Buffon for Juventus, admitted being without him would be a huge blow.

"A good goalkeeper is just as valuable as a striker who scores a lot of goals," stated Chiellini. "It's obvious how much he's worth to the team."

There was good news for Italy, however, about playmaker Andrea Pirlo's fitness, after he sat out their opening match with a calf problem.

"He has now been subjected to [an MRI scan], he is training and is running and things are going according to the schedule set out at the beginning," said Castellacci.

"The objective was for him to return in the third game or the last 16 and he should be ready for [one of] those."

Italy are looking for an improved performance against New Zealand, although coach Marcelo Lippi insisted they had made a satisfactory start to the tournament.

"Italy is right here. We're here tactically, physically, with our hearts, we're here full stop," he said.

"I just regret that we did not get the points we deserved (against Paraguay), but sometimes that's what happens, you get less than you deserve.

"The important thing is this was not a decisive game. What is important is that people now realise we are here and have got our act together."

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Spain defender Sergio Ramos suffers injury against Switzerland

Spain defender Sergio Ramos has revealed that he was suffering from a rib injury during his side's 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening Group H World Cup game.

La Furia Roja went down to a lone Gelson Fernandes goal shortly after half-time in Durban, even though they dominated the game for large periods.

Despite perhaps not being tested as much as he might have been defensively, the Real Madrid defender said he was glad to have Jesus Navas helping him on the wing while he was injured.


He also declared that Spain must now forget about the Swiss defeat and focus on their remaining group games.

"I had a pain in the ribs and I could hardly move, I hope it's in the muscle and not the bone. I was fortunate to have the support of Navas, the rib is still feeling a bit sore," he was quoted as saying by Marca.

"The team has given our all on the field. We've lost three important points, but now we have to think about the rest. The reality is that the team that dominated the ball has not gotten the three points."

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France v Mexico: match preview

Group A

France v Mexico
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
Kick-off: Thurs June 17, 7.30pm BST
TV: BBC1 7pm, BBC1 HD 7pm

After being held by hosts South Africa and Uruguay respectively in their opening matches, Mexico and France must both look to record their first victories of the tournament in Polokwane if they are to seize an advantage in the race to reach the second round.

France coach Raymond Domenech may look to recall Florent Malouda, who has enjoyed a fine season at Chelsea, after dropping him for the opening game for insubordination.

That may mean moving Franck Ribery to a nominal wide right berth, though the Bayern Munich player enjoys license to roam.

Mexico, too, proffered a cautious start, and Javier Aguirre, the former Atletico Madrid manager, may look to include both Andres Guardado, his livewire winger, and Javier Hernandez, the striker who will join Manchester United after the tournament, leaving the former West Ham forward Guillermo Franco on the bench.


Key clash

Patrice Evra v Efrain Juarez: The Manchester United left-back is one of the few genuinely world-class performers the French possess, and he has grown in stature yet further after inheriting the captain’s armband from Thierry Henry when the Barcelona player was informed of his super-sub duties.

Evra, like Bacary Sagna, is employed to add an extra dimension to France’s attack, though he will have to be at his best to outwit the impressive Juarez, the 22-year-old seen as a likely candidate to be the next great Mexican export to Europe.

Tactical battle

France were easily stifled by Uruguay’s stout defensive display in their opening game and Aguirre will look to employ much the same approach: Gerardo Torrado will sit deep to deny Yoann Gourcuff space, while Juarez and Andres Guardado will be expected to track France’s overlapping full-backs.

France, as they did against the Uruguayans, will look to Franck Ribery to provide much of their attacking impetus.

Touchline duel

Raymond Domenech v Javier Aguirre: Two men whose reputations in their homelands could not contrast more sharply. Domenech, despite steering France to the final of this competition

in 2006, is seen as a buffoon, while Aguirre, who stepped into the breach following Sven-Goran Eriksson’s disastrous reign in Mexico, is viewed as a semi-deity for his achievements domestically and in Europe.

What they said

Abou Diaby: "Looking back at the Uruguay game, we had most of the possession, but we didn't manage to create many good chances, probably because there is something missing on the pitch."
Rafael Marquez: “We know the potential they have, the quality they have. They can change all of this. They have big players with great qualities. It's been a long time since they scored, but they have the ability to change this at any moment."

Teams

France (4-2-3-1): 1 Lloris; 2 Sagna, 5 Gallas, 3 Abidal, 13 Evra; 14 Toulalan, 19 Diaby; 7 Ribery, 8 Gourcuff, 15 Malouda; 21 Anelka
Substitutes: 16 Mandanda (G), 23 Carasso (G), 4 Reveillere, 6 Planus, 17 Squillaci, 22 Clichy, 10 Govou, 18 Diarra, 20 Valbuena, 9 Cisse, 11 Gignac, 12 Henry.
Mexico (4-3-3): 1 Perez; 5 Osorio, 2 Rodriguez, 4 Marquez, 3 Salcido, 16 Juarez, 6 Torrado, 18 Guardado; 11 Vela, 14 Hernandez, 17 Giovani
Substitutes: 13 Ochoa (G), 23 Michel (G), 12 Aguilar, 15 Moreno, 19 Magallon, 20 Torres, 7 Barrera, 8 Castro, 10 Blanco, 9 Franco, 21 Bautista, 22 Medina.
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

Previous meetings

Played 6: France 5, Draws 1, Mexico 0

1930: (Montevideo, WC): France 4 Mexico 1
1954: (Geneva, WC): France 3 Mexico 2
1966: (London, WC): France 1 Mexico 1
1996: (Paris, friendly): France 2 Mexico 0
2001: (Ulsan, Confederations Cup): France 4 Mexico 0
2006: (Paris, friendly): France 1 Mexico 0

Fact: Mexico are attempting to maintain their record of winning at least one game for the sixth successive World Cup finals appearance.

Predicition: France have to win but they are as poor a side that tried to defend the trophy in 2002. Another draw.

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Argentina v South Korea: match preview

Group B

Argentina v South Korea
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Thur June 17, 12.30pm BST
TV: ITV 12pm, ITV HD 12pm

Two of the better-looking sides from the opening round of matches, both are in a strong position to progress from Group B, after Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0 with an early header from Gaby Heinze while the Koreans despatched a poor Greek side 2-0 with goals from Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung.

Argentina have been forced to make one change this time with their playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron struggling with a right calf strain; Liverpool’s Maxi Rodriguez, says coach Diego Maradona, will do “a wonderful job” as a replacement.

Korean manager Huh Jung-Moo has decision whether to stick with the same starting XI or welcome back striker Lee Dong-Guk following his recovery from a thigh injury.

Key clash

How do you stop Lionel Messi? Who would be on the boots of Kim Jung-woo, the defensive midfielder who plays for the Korean army team Gwangju Sangmu and looks likely to be charged with stopping the Barca maestro at source?

Talking tactics

Maradona must have concerns about shoring up his backline, with Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez having been so exposed at right back against Nigeria, especially with the Koreans having the energy and pace to expose any disorganisation. Korea could go 4-5-1 if Lee Dong-Guk is fit. Touchline duel: A couple fo old foes re-acquainting themselves here, with


Maradona having played against Huh Jung-Moo in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Maradona would settle for the same 3-1 scoreline too.

What they say

Diego Maradona: “We had a practice game between the first team and the second team and there was hardly any difference between the two. They played at a great level; I was amazed and astonished at how great the guys are, the way they are playing.”
Huh Jung-Moo: “I have to admit back in 1986 when I played, we were very intimidated by Argentina. This is a very different time; we have a lot of experience now and a a lot of good players.”

Teams

Argentina (4-3-3): 22 Romero, 17 Gutiérrez, 2 Demichelis, 13 Samuel, 6 Heinze; 20 Maxi Rodriguez, 14 Mascherano, 7 di María; 10 Messi, 11 Tévez, 9 Higuaín.
South Korea (4-2-3-1): 18 Jung S R, 22 Cha D R, 4 Cho Y H, 14 Lee J-S, 12 Lee Y-P, 16 Ki S-Y, 8 Kim J W; 17 Lee C Y, 7 Park J S (c), 19 Yeom K-H, 10 Park C-Y.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Previous meetings

Played 2: Argentina 2, Draws 0, South Korea 0

1986 (Mexico City, WC): Argentina 3 South Korea 1
2003 (Seoul, friendly): Argentina 1 South Korea 0

Fact: If Argentina win it will be their 35th victory in the finals. Only Italy, Germany and Brazil have more.

Prediction: The Koreans impressed against Greece but will find Argentina too tough. Another win for Diego Maradona.

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Greece v Nigeria: match preview

Group B

Greece v Nigeria
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: Thur June 17, 3pm BST

Both teams lost their opening Group B games with poor performances, so both need a massive improvement to stand any chance of challenging Argentina and South Korea for the two qualifying places.

Otto Rehhagel caused a surprise by leaving out imposing Liverpool central defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the 2-0 defeat by South Korea, and he could be recalled.

Lars Lagerback may consider replacing Chinedu Obasi with Peter Odemwingie.

Touchline duel

Otto Rehhagel v Lars Lagerback: Two hugely experienced coaches will treat this one like a chess match. A German faces a Swede but it is the latter who boasts the World Cup experience and that could work in his favour. However, Rehhagel has the experience of more than 1,000 Bundesliga games, so this offers a fascinating clash.

And both have to win; the losers go home.


Talking tactics

Lagerback will probably ask Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu to drop back to a holding role and that could help negate a three-man attack which was so disappointing last time out.

What they say

Otto Rehhagel: "We still have an opportunity and can recover after losing the first game. First of all we have to keep our mistakes to a minimum. We have to play to our full potential and give everything.

Lars Lagerback: "I know that my Super Eagles players will handle this situation very well so from my point of view I am very positive going into the next game. It doesn't matter if Greece had lost or won."

Key clash

Sotorios Kyrgiakos v Aiyegbeni Yakubu: A Merseyside clash like no other. Liverpool meets Everton with Kyrgiakos likely to be the man charged with keeping Yakubu quiet.

But when their club teams last met Kyrgiakos had been sent-off by the time Yakubu came on, at Anfield in February. Liverpool won that game 1-0.

Previous meetings

Played 2 Greece 1, Draws 0, Nigeria 1

1994 (Boston, WC): Greece 0 Nigeria 1
1999 (Kirkis, friendly): Greece 2 Nigeria 0

Fact: Nigeria are seeking their first win in the finals since they beat Bulgaria in 1998.

Prediction: Nigeria only lost 1-0 to Argentina and with the Greeks so poor against South Korea expect another African success.

Teams

Greece (4-3-3): Tzorvas; Vyntra, Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis; Patsatzoglu, Karagounis, Katsouranis; Samaras, Salpingidis, Gekas
Nigeria (4-4-2): Enyeama; Odiah, Shittu, Yobo, Taiwo; Kaita, Etuhu, Lukman, Odemwingie; Yakubu, Obinna
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).

Previous meetings

Played 2: Greece 1, Draws 0, Nigeria 1

1994: (Boston, WC): Greece 0 Nigeria 1
1999: (Kirkis, friendly): Greece 2 Nigeria 0

Fact: Nigeria are seeking their first win in the finals since they beat Bulgaria in 1998.

Prediction: Nigeria only lost 1-0 to Argentina and with the Greeks so poor against South Korea expect another African success.

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