Donadoni, whose team will be defending the World Cup won under his predecessor Marcello Lippi when qualification commences after Euro 2008, saw the champions placed alongside Bulgaria, the Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Cyprus and Montenegro in Sunday's draw in Durban, South Africa."Bulgaria, Ireland, Georgia and Montenegro are nations that don't have a great football tradition but they are still difficult teams," Donadoni said.
The Azzurri, who secured a place in next summer's Euro 2008 finals after last weekend's triumph in Scotland, have been drawn again with Georgia, who were also part of that competition's 'group of death' which saw World Cup finalists Italy and France eventually qualify.
But Donadoni believes Italy's biggest threat will come from Bulgaria.
"Bulgaria is probably the main contender for us in this group," he said. "Montenegro, as with all of the former Yugoslavia nations, are difficult opponents. And let's not even talk about Ireland.
"We already know Georgia, having faced them in the Euro 2008 qualifier."
In the past, the reigning World Cup champions qualifed automatically, but under new rules Italy must go through the qualifying process.
"It is a strategy that has been adopted recently. We have to accept it and I think it is right that every team must earn its spot in the competition," Donadoni concluded.
[World Cup Qualifying Draw]
Source: C4 Football Italia / PA
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