Italy will start their quest to reach the World Cup finals for the 18th time (out of 20 tournaments) when they take on Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday and Malta in Modena next Tuesday.

The domestic league has just got underway with champions Juventus already showing their clear intent on retaining the scudetto for a second year running after two convincing victories including the one of last weekend when they trounced Udinese 4-1 at the Friuli Stadium.

But the Serie A will have to observe an early break this month for the international matches as Italy, four times world champions, start their commitments in Group B which also comprises Denmark, Czech Republic and Armenia, besides Bulgaria and Malta.

Although Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria have all played in previous finals, at present they do not seem strong enough to pose any serious problems to the 2012 European Championship runners-up.

However, although all three sides seem to be in a transition phase, it would be a mistake if Italy were to underestimate their opponents, including Armenia who finished third in their Euro 2012 qualifying group behind Russia and Ireland with 17 points.

Coach Cesare Prandelli should continue building on the strong foundations laid in the past two years.

After bowing out in the first round of the 2010 World Cup under Marcello Lippi, the Azzurri did exceptionally well in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

And in Ukraine and Poland this summer, Italy kept up their momentum and knocked out Croatia, the Republic of Ireland, England and Germany before being outclassed and beaten by arguably the best national team in many a generation – Spain – in the July 1 final in Kiev.

New players

In the aftermath of Euro 2012, Prandelli made no bones of his intentions to continue introducing new blood in his squad.

In last month’s friendly against England in Berne, the former Parma and Fiorentina mentor called no fewer than nine uncapped players.

If Italy are to flourish and build a side strong enough to compete for the World Cup in Brazil, Prandelli has no alternatives other than to continue showing faith in the up-and-coming players.

For sure, in the next two years, Prandelli will have to find a replacement for 33-year-old Andrea Pirlo.

At the Euros, the Juventus playmaker was Italy’s inspiration in midfield, but doubts persist whether Pirlo will still be in his prime when the World Cup finals will be played in South America in 2014.

Prandelli’s task to continue restoring the national team’s fortunes by launching the career of new players within his fold will be facilitated if Serie A clubs give emerging players their fair share of opportunity to prove themselves and flourish.

In Group B, Italy’s key matches will be away to the Czech Republic in June next year, at a time when the 2012/13 Serie A would have already come to an end, and, in particular, their penultimate qualifier away against Denmark in October 2013.

If the Azzurri succeed in avoiding away upsets, starting from Friday in Sofia, their ride to Brazil should not be bumpy.

Serie A statistics

Giampaolo Pazzini... three goals against Bologna.

3rd straight home win for Torino against Pescara as last weekend the Maroons dominated from start to finish to claim their first home win of the season. The last time these two sides shared the spoils was in January 2006 (1-1) whereas Pescara’s most recent success in Turin dates back to Nov. 1998 (2-1).

4 teams are still pointless in Serie A – Udinese, Pescara, Palermo and Bologna. On Sunday, Udinese succumbed to their second defeat in their last three home meetings with Juventus who, along with Napoli, Lazio and Sampdoria, have maximum points. Pescara and Palermo still have to score their first goal of the season.

7 penalties were awarded by referees… three scored. Pazzini (Milan), Diamanti (Bologna) and Vidal (Juventus) were all on target but Larrivey, Conti (both Cagliari), Calaio (Siena) and Bianchi (Torino) were not so prolific from the penalty spot. Of the nine penalties taken so far, three were scored.

10 years have elapsed since Bologna’s most recent home victory over Milan. On Saturday, the Rossoblu were comprehensively beaten by Milan at their own Dall’Ara Stadium to concede their second straight defeat. Else-where, Chievo were beaten 2-0 by Parma to confirm their truly dire record at the Tardini Stadium, where they have won only once in 10 visits – 1-0 in November 2002.

34 goals were scored on the second day of the season: 19 coming from the hosts and the remaining 15 from the visitors. Foreigners contributed with 16 goals while there were 11 first-half goals. Total number of goals scored so far is 55. Pazzini grabbed a hat-trick that enabled Milan to beat Bologna. Three players – Bergessio (Catania), Klose (Lazio) and Giovinco (Juventus) – struck a brace each. Ekdal (Cagliari), Marquinho (Roma) and Rosi (Parma) came on as substitutes and scored.