In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents!
Cameroon
1- Are you happy with your team's preparations so far/planned preparations?
Absolutely! Cameroon needs to get back on their feet as soon as possible and now that the question of the coach has been settled, the idea of playing the World Champions in Monaco next Wednesday could hardly have been topped. Cameroon needs to assert very early and find out where they stand next to World class teams - Italy is a very tough opponent.
2- Why do you think this opposition was chosen? Is it a good choice?
I think the main reason for choosing this particular opponent happens to be the sponsor. Puma is a long-time partner with both teams, which are arguably its biggest asset, and the fact that they haven't met sooner was in itself an oddity. Now aside from financial reasons. Cameroon has Denmark and the Netherlands in its group and will have to face European teams sooner or later. Even though the Squadra Azzura's style of play is nowhere near the Oranjes', the advantages of weighing ones chances against one of the biggest teams on the planet cannot be denied as it will help Paul Le Guen make the necessary adjustments the recent African Cup of Nations did not.
3- Do you think your team was chosen because you are similar to the opposition’ World Cup rivals? If so, are you actually similar?
Well not really as Italy is in a group with Paraguay, New-Zealand and Slovakia. As I'm not an expert I could not comment on their respective styles of play but I doubt it is close to Cameroon's.
4- Is your coach under pressure to win this match? What will be the reaction if the game is lost?
There is not much pressure put on friendlies, especially one that will be played outside the country, people will be happy to see their country face the World Champions and its stars, but there will hardly be any pressure as people just came out of a very disappointing competition and will understand the need for experimentation and adjustments. Therefore, the result won't matter. There will of course be bragging rights if the game is won. But if they lose it, the only thing that would matter would be the way they played. As long as the average fan thinks the Lions fought hard for the country there won't be any type of turmoil over a defeat.
5- Any surprises in the squad? Which player that has been left out should have been selected?
There were actually two very big surprises on the squad as Rigobert Song and Geremi Njitap, arguably the biggest players in the country in terms of aura and experience alongside Samuel Eto'o have been left out of Paul Le Guen's list. With catastrophic performances, it seems natural for the coach to try out new defensive players. But the abrupt cutting of two monuments went unnoticed so far as it certainly hasn't registered nor sink in yet. People also don't know whether the situation will be permanent, marking the end of an era or just temporary to help these legends get some much needed rest.
6- For which players is this game very important and why?
This game will be very important for all the new additions as they have a chance of making it to the World Cup, but mainly Sebastien Bassong. The Tottenham player was sure, alongside his country, that he would be making the squad to Angola and didn't. He's called back up and will have to prove PLG how wrong he was not picking him for the African Cup Of Nations. The local players, Astres FC's Mabouka Massoussi and his team-mate Abouna Ndzana are the first local players to make it in a Paul Le Guen team ever and will have the opportunity to showcase their talents
7- What issues in the team need to be addressed?
The issues with the team are essentially defence based which is why the seven new players, aside from Joel Matip are all defenders. Paul Le Guen is doing his best to find the best defensive combination possible to start the South African World Cup with. If the squad found youngster Nicolas N'koulou (who will be playing at home as he's a Monaco player as well) as an excellent complement to Rigobert Song, the twenty year-old can not be given that much responsibility this early in his career.
There is also a very deep and passionate debate in the country about the generational gap and the needed switch to the younger generation. While many feel like some players deserve to go with a boom at the World Cup, some feel like Paul Le Guen should get rid of them and just call it a day. The old guard is very powerful but the African Cup of Nations fiasco has been a great example of players holding on too long. Rigobert Song embarrassed himself more than once and is clearly on his way out.
8- What will the result be?
Although not important, I have a hard time seeing the Indomitable Lions win this game. However motivated, Paul Le Guen will have to experiment with his defence, and chances are a new pairing will start against the Azzuri. Plus Idris Carlos Kameni has not had a great Afcon and is not looking his best these days because of it. A new defense added to a shaky goalkeeper does not bode well for the Cameroonians. The Italians are the definite favourites in this confrontation.
Italy
1- Are you happy with your team's preparations so far/planned preparations?
In this moment Italy's players aren't focused on the Italy-Cameroon friendly. This is a is a very challenging period of the season, with important games in Serie A, Europa League and Champions League, so players are thinking about their respective clubs. Some are playing well, others not so. Lippi will probably test new players for the World Cup.
2- Why do you think this opposition was chosen? Is it a good choice?
Cameroon is certainly a respectable opponent. They are not very similar to the other Group F teams, but they have a team that can cause problems to Azzurri's eleven. They are fast and physically strong, two qualities that can damage Italy. Also before the 2006 World Cup. Italy played an African team (1-1 vs Ivory Coast)
3- Do you think your team was chosen because you are similar to the opposition’ World Cup rivals?
Maybe Cameroon want to face a strong European team before World Cup clash with Holland. Italy has some qualities like the Oranje: good technique, good tradition, good tactical organization. It can be an useful test for Eto'o & co.
4- Is your coach under pressure to win this match? What will be the reaction if the game is lost?
A defeat vs Cameroon will cause some problem for Marcello Lippi. He's not so loved at this moment, Italian fans are not confident for the World Cup. They need to see a good Italy in this friendly to feel some optimism. There's a lot of curiosity about possible new names for the Azzurri team.
5- Any surprises in the squad? Which player that has been left out should have been selected?
Lippi will test some players who are playing well at the moment. People like Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Borriello, or the young Leonardo Bonucci.
6- For which players is this game very important and why?
Lippi said that 15-16 players are sure of their call for the World cup. So the match will be fundamental for the players still in doubt that will be tested vs Cameroon.
7- What issues in the team need to be addressed?
I think that the priority is to find the right players that will complete the World Cup group. Talking about this issue, maybe Lippi have to give more strength to the defence, because the Azzurri defense is very similar to the Juventus defense (with Cannavaro, Chiellini and Grosso). And Juve have had a lot of problems this season...
8- What will the result be?