Lippi defends Del Piero call-up

Italy coach Marcello Lippi, seen here in 2004, has defended his decision to call up Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Belarus

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has defended his decision to call up Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Belarus.

Del Piero was dropped to the substitutes' bench for Juve's first league match of the season against Chievo on Sunday and didn't even feature for the Italian champions.

However, Lippi, who knows the 30-year-old striker well having coached him at Juventus, was not unduly concerned.

"For me, Del Piero is in form," said Lippi after the team's first training session in Florence ahead of Saturday's game away to Scotland.

"I'm not influenced by what goes on at Juventus. What I always say is that when he joins up with the Italy squad, he leaves behind him any problems he may have with his club."

Italy, who lead Group Five by four points from Norway, face Scotland at Hampden Park before taking on Belarus in Minsk the following Wednesday.