Italy turns to American-born striker Rossi

ROME – American-born striker Giuseppe Rossi could make his first start for Italy when the injury-plagued World Cup champions host Montenegro on Wednesday. With Luca Toni suspended, Italy coach Marcello Lippi has to redesign his attack for the World Cup qualifier. “Rossi was born to play," Lippi said. “He’s a special player and he’s ready for this national team." Rossi came on for the final 21 minutes of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bulgaria and his through ball to Alberto Gilardino was one of Italy’s few highlights, even though Gilardino wasted the opportunity. “If Lippi calls me, I’ll be ready," Rossi said. However, Rossi has trained separately from Italy’s team since the Bulgaria game due to a slight injury. He started training regularly again on Tuesday. Midfielder Daniele De Rossi has also trained separately due to a badly bruised thigh. “De Rossi can play," Lippi said Tuesday. “Rossi we already discovered Saturday, but tomorrow — either from the start or in the second half — it’s very probably that you’ll see him again." Half of Italy’s lineup is already missing due to injury, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Mauro Camoranesi, Fabio Grosso, Marco Materazzi and Vincenzo Iaquinta all out. Toni came on as a substitute against Bulgaria and picked up a yellow card that ruled him out of the Montenegro game. Lippi called up Fabio Quagliarella as a replacement but Gilardino is again expected to lead the Azzurri attack. Gilardino has scored seven goals for Fiorentina this season. Rossi could pair with Gilardino in a 4-4-2 lineup. Udinese forwards Antonio Di Natale and Simone Pepe, who both started against Bulgaria, are also options. The 21-year-old Rossi has already played for Manchester United, Newcastle and Parma in his short career, and is now with Villarreal in Spain. “He’s been around the world already," Lippi said. “I like the way he thinks." Rossi was born in New Jersey but has always represented Italy, starting with the under-16 team. He led all scorers at the Beijing Olympics with four goals. Local media have already taken to calling Rossi “Joe Cool" for his American attributes. While praising his overall performance against Bulgaria — in his first call up — Lippi suggested that Rossi should have fallen down when he was fouled at one point deep in the visitor’s area, which would have earned Italy a free kick. “It’s true, I should have gone down there," Rossi said. “But that’s how I am. Making the play is always the most important thing." Rossi’s mother Cleonilde, an Italian and Spanish teacher who still lives in the United States, has traveled to attend the Bulgaria and Montenegro games. His father Fernando is also attending the games, while his sister Tina has called from America to offer encouragement. Italy leads Group 8 with seven points from three games. Ireland is next with four points, followed by Bulgaria and Montenegro with two each and Cyprus and Georgia with one apiece. “In terms of constructing a group of players and making up a team, I think I can say we’re ahead of where we were at this point for the group that won the World Cup," Lippi said. Montenegro doesn’t have much in the way of reference points. The Balkan team is attempting to qualify for the first time as an independent nation. In its opening qualifiers, Montenegro drew 2-2 with Bulgaria and 0-0 with Ireland. Two of the team’s most skillful players are based in Italy — striker Mirko Vucinic at AS Roma and Stevan Jovetic at Fiorentina. “It’s not going to be an easy match, because like all teams from the former Yugoslavia, they are very skillful and well prepared," Lippi said. Security has been increased for the match at Lecce’s Via del Mare stadium following a riot by Italian fans in Bulgaria. – AP