Hanover: Italy coach Marcello Lippi sprung a surprise in his team line-up for Monday's World Cup Group E game against Ghana handing a start to Simone Perrotta in midfield ahead of Mauro Camoranesi.
Perrotta is a more defensive-minded player than converted winger Camoranesi and should offer more cover given Lippi opted for a three-man attack with Francesco Totti playing behind Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino.
As expected Daniele De Rossi replaced the injured Gennaro Gattuso alongside Andrea Pirlo in the centre of midfield while Cristian Zaccardo was given the nod ahead of Massimo Oddo at right back.
Ghana picked a full-strength starting line-up with no surprises. Coach Ratomir Dujkovic went for the slightly more experienced Richard Kingston in goal ahead of Sam Adjei.
The midfield will be anchored by Michael Essien, the most expensive player from the continent of Africa, and Stephen Appiah, a former Italian league winner with Juventus.
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