ON THE eve of Italy’s vital World Cup clash with Ireland in Bari tomorrow, the spectre of “local hero” Antonio Cassano continues to hang over Italian preparations.

With many commentators still speculating that the non-inclusion of Bari-born-and-bred Sampdoria player Cassano in the Italian squad may lead to a negative fan reaction at the San Nicola Stadium tomorrow, Italian football president Giancarlo Abete yesterday offered a vigorous defence of Italian coach Marcello Lippi.

“Lippi has a very clear position on this matter, linked to a technical analysis of how to handle his squad,” said Abete. “Remember, he is the coach who won the World Cup with a squad in which 10 players got on the scoresheet and in which nearly every player was involved. He is creating a new group and you have to have respect for his choices, just as you can respect his critics.”

The federation president, however, went on to say he has no worries about the reception that will be afforded to the Italian team by the Bari public, saying: “The fans will be absolutely fundamental for us against Ireland, just as they were against Scotland in that European qualifier in 2007. All the match tickets have been sold, Bari has given a great response and we expect to have a great fan following behind us.”

Agreeing with Abete yesterday was Vincenzo Matarrese, president of current Serie B league leaders AS Bari and also brother of Italian Football League president Antonio Matarrese. “We folks in Bari care a lot about the national team, it’s not every day that we get to see Italy play,” said Matarrese.

On the Italian team front, there was good news yesterday about two doubtful players, central defender Giorgio Chiellini and striker Vincenzo Iaquinta, both of whom picked up knocks in Saturday night’s 2-0 away win against Montenegro. Both men are expected to start tomorrow against Ireland. In essence, this means Lippi will start with the same defence as that which lined out against Montenegro.

In midfield, AS Roma’s Matteo Brighi may replace Angelo Palombo alongside Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo. Brighi is expected to prove more dynamic than Palombo, a largely defensive midfielder.

The only real uncertainty about Lippi’s team concerns his attack in which Iaquinta may be partnered by Giampaolo Pazzini, scorer of a goal on his full international debut on Saturday night, and by Villareal and former Manchester Utd striker Giuseppe Rossi. Alternatively, Lippi may start with Udinese’s Simone Pepe on the right, bringing on Rossi as a second-half substitute.

Rossi yesterday underlined no one in the Italian squad would be under-estimating Ireland: “This is a very important game against a very awkward opponent. They play with a lot of intensity. On top of that they are coached by Giovanni Trapattoni and that’s a good reason to show them plenty of respect.”

ITALY (Probable) (4-2-1-3): Buffon; Zambrotta, Chiellini, Cannavaro, Grosso; De Rossi, Brighi; Pirlo; Rossi, Iaquinta, Pazzini.