Grosso cut from Italy’s World Cup squad

Fabio Grosso, who converted the decisive penalty kick in Italy\'s World Cup victory four years ago, was cut from the World Cup squad for South Africa today.



Coach Marcello Lippi also dropped midfielder Antonio Candreva, Grosso\'s teammate at Juventus, to take only 28 players to Italy\'s pre-World Cup training camp.



Grosso\'s penalty in the shootout against France decided the 2006 World Cup final, but the left back has struggled at Juventus this season.



Nine other members of the 2006 World Cup squad are still part of the team. One of them, Gianluca Zambrotta, will likely shift from right to left back, leaving the right back position to fill.



Italy will begin training in the Alpine resort of Sestriere on Sunday. Located at an elevation of 2,000 metres, the camp should help prepare the Azzurri to play at high altitude in South Africa.



Lippi will have to submit his final 23-man list by June 1.



In South Africa, the World Cup holders open against Paraguay on June 14 and also face New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.