Italy Vs. Uruguay, 2011 International Friendly: Please, No Injuries.

HOW DOES HIS HAIR DO THAT?

Uruguay and Italy meet in what many might consider a "pointless friendly." Here's hoping that no injuries occur, as the likes of Liverpool, Napoli, Juventus and Roma would have trouble challenging for titles without their most impressive players.

What can be said about Italy vs. Uruguay that hasn't been said already? Uruguay are clearly looking to improve upon their 2010 World Cup fourth place finish, and their 4-0 defeat of Chile in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying made it clear that la celeste are a force to be reckoned with. Italy, of course, will see anything as an improvement over their dismal performance in South Africa, but their easy road to Euro 2012 certainly demonstrated that they're on the road to recovery.

In all honesty, this match terrifies me. First, look at the azzurri lineup:

Gigi Buffon; Christian Maggio, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Ranocchia, Federico Balzaretti; Andrea Pirlo; Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio; Riccardo Montolivo; Pablo Osvaldo, Mario Balotelli.

With the exception of Balotelli, which clubs could weather a significant injury to one of these players? Could Juventus stay top if Pirlo goes down? Can AS Roma make a challenge without their top scorer, Osvaldo?

As for Uruguay, well, what is Napoli if Edinson Cavani picks up an injury? Granted, the striker hasn't shown the fantastic form he exhibited last season, but the alternative is Goran Pandev. Enough said. Then, of course, there's Luis Suarez, who is anticipated to start on Tuesday. 13 goals scored by Liverpool and 5 of them are his. Under-performing at Anfield? You're having a laugh.

This is a friendly. It should, above all, be fun. After all, nothing matters. Yet something tells me that the likes of Chiellini and Diego Lugano will not take it as such, chopping down their opponents and then begging for mercy. At this point, I hope both countries simply come out unscathed.