Iaquinta and Gilardino up front for Italy

By Mitch Phillips CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Italy coach Marcello Lippi left Serie A top scorer Antonio Di Natale out of his team to face Paraguay in their opening World Cup Group F game on Monday with Simone Pepe drafted in as an attacking wide man. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alberto Gilardino will form the strike force for the holders while in the injury-enforced absence of Andrea Pirlo, Riccardo Montolivo starts in midfield. After weeks of speculation about a possible surprise choice at left back, Lippi played it safe with Genoa's Domenico Criscito getting the nod. As expected, Paraguay were without striker Oscar Cardozo, who has an ankle injury, but coach Gerardo Martino also left Roque Santa Cruz on the bench. Argentina-born Lucas Barrios, who has scored three goals in three games since becoming eligible, starts up front with Nelson Valdez. Paraguay defender Denis Caniza, who was in the squad for the 1998 World Cup, starts on the bench and will win his 100th cap if he gets on. (Editing by Michael Holden)