Italy go to the World Cup finals looking to equal the record of hosts Brazil and lift the trophy for a fifth time.
With the first Group D game against England and tricky encounters with Uruguay and Costa Rica to follow, Coach Cesare Prandelli still has tough decisions to make.
Having landed themselves a nightmare group at the World Cup, Costa Rica hopes a blend of tactical stability and technical effervescence will enable them to pull off a shock in Brazil.
Costa Rica national team coach Jorge Luis Pinto revealed his preliminary 30-man roster for the World Cup on Monday morning. The players will report to the team's pre-World Cup training camp.
Costa Rica's chances of advancing at the World Cup took a huge hit Saturday evening after the team confirmed star Bryan Oviedo would miss the tournament.
Levante stunned La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid, 2-0, thanks to the spectacular goalkeeping of Costa Rican Keylor Navas. An own-goal gave Levante a lead seven minutes into the game and from there Navas held like a brick wall, parrying away Atlético's best shots.
An injury to the right knee of Cristian Gamboa won't require surgery, keeping alive the hope that Costa Rica's right back will return in time for the World Cup.
At a press conference Thursday morning, Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto discussed the status of a few players who might provide a boost for his team against Group D's high-ranking rivals.
