FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Uruguay v Italy, Third Place Play-Off, Where to Watch Live, Preview and Team News
Before Brazil and Spain face each other in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup final in Rio, South American champions Uruguay and European powerhouse Italy square off in the third-place play-off in Salvador, aiming to end their campaign on a high.
Where to Watch Live
Kick-off is set for 5pm BST, with BBC Red Button and the BBC Sport website providing live coverage in the UK.
Overview
Both sides suffered narrow yet heartbreaking defeats in the semi-finals. La Celeste lost 2-1 to hosts Brazil, courtesy of a late Paulinho header, and the Azzurri were beaten 7-6 by world champions Spain in a thrilling penalty shootout.
That leaves the two teams to battle it out for third place, which many see as nothing more than a formality. However, with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil starting in less than 12 months time, both sides will be keen on winning the tie and leaving this tournament on a positive note.
In the eight previous matches between these two nations, Uruguay have won three and Italy two. The South Americans prevailed 1-0 when the two sides last met, back in November 2011.
Team Form
Uruguay
- Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W L W
- Last Match: Brazil 2 - 1 Uruguay
Italy
- Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D L W W D
- Last Match: Spain 0 - 0 Italy
Team News
Oscar Tabarez has no injury or suspension concerns and will have defender Andres Scotti available again after the veteran served a one-match ban. Tabarez will have plenty of interesting choices available for this game, with eight of his men playing their club football in Italy. The big question, though, is if he will decide to retain his high-profile front three of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan or start with two strikers and play a more controlled game.
Probable Line-up: (4-3-3) Muslera; Pereira, Lugano, Godin, Caceres; Arevalo, Gonzalez, Rodriguez; Cavani, Forlan, Suarez
Cesare Prandelli, on the other hand, has a host of injury problems. Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli have been ruled out of contention due to injury, while Mario Balotelli and Ignazio Abate remain sidelined. Alberto Gilardino picked up a knock against Spain, leaving the door open for Stephan El Shaarawy to earn a start.
Probable Line-up: (3-4-2-1) Buffon; Bonucci, Rossi, Chiellini; Maggio, Montolivo, Aquilani, Giaccherini; Candreva, Marchisio; Shaarawy
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