AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be on the bench for today's showdown with Slovakia.

Any of the sides can still qualify, as Paraguay are in front with four points followed by Italy and New Zealand on two, then Slovakia with one point.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi confirmed: "I can confirm that Andrea Pirlo will be on the bench. He won't play from the start.

"Slovakia have fast and talented strikers who repeatedly switch positions. I don't think they will transform their approach for us.

"They have only one result at their disposal and will of course try to win. We must repeat our performances in defence and midfield, but improve the attacking process."