Italy to experiment against SA

Roberto Donadoni has picked an experimental side to play SA

World Champions Italy will pick an experimental side when they play 2010 World Cup host South Africa on Wednesday in Siena.
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni sent home his entire starting line-up after a 2-0 win over Georgia in European Championship qualifying on Saturday, and called up nine different players to face South Africa.

Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro - the younger brother of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro - received his first call-up, as did Udinese defender Andrea Dossena and midfielders Alessandro Rosina (Torino) and Antonio Nocerino (Juventus).

At 24 and with only 29 international appearances, midfielder Daniele De Rossi will be Italy's captain for the game.

"There are a lot of players that seem unknown that have a lot of talent," De Rossi said.

"Our under-21 team is full of talented players. They can't all come at once, but with time, there will be a (generational) change."

South Africa has a core of three experienced players based in the English Premier League - Steven Pienaar of Everton, and Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy of Blackburn.

"I have selected a very strong team and this is not time to experiment with players who are still lacking experience," South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said earlier this month.

"I want to leave the world champions with something to think about at the end of the game."

In their last three games, Bafana Bafana was beaten by Scotland 1-0 in a friendly, lost to Zambia 3-1 in African Cup of Nations qualifying and drew 0-0 with Uruguay.