Forza Italia!

Second makes life difficult for Italy
21 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com


Italy’s draw with the USA and Czech Republic’s defeat to Ghana in the second round of matches means the pre-tournament favourites for progress from Group E must both seek a win in Thursday's showdown in the FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg.
Karel Bruckner’s men need nothing short of a victory to ensure survival, while the Azzurri would be sure of qualification with a draw but will be gunning for three points to avoid Brazil in the second round.

How things stand
In their opening match Marcello Lippi’s men beat Ghana 2-0 and then followed that up with a draw against the USA , 1-1 in a highly competitive game. These results put Italy at the top of group E needing a draw to progress.

The situation is more complicated for Czech Republic following an easy win over the USA 3-0 and a loss to Ghana 0-2. The Eastern Europeans may be currently second in Group E but they have to win against Italy to ensure automatic qualification.

A draw would see Italy through but leave the Czechs nervously waiting for news from Nuremberg of the encounter between the USA and Ghana. Under such circumstances a win for the Africans would send Bruckner’s men home, but the Americans would have to win by five goals to achieve the same feat.

Italy will be without Daniele De Rossi who is suspended following his sending off against the USA. His place will be taken by Gennaro Gattuso, but remaining team selections are shrouded in mystery, with Lippi having assessed various options in training. Simone Perrotta has recovered from the injury to his upper right leg sustained against the Americans and should start. The major doubt concerns the Azzurri forward line with a misfiring Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alex Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi all still hoping to get the nod.


The alternatives in attack are far more limited for Karel Bruckner. Target man Jan Koller has still not recovered from the injury suffered in the opening match, and his natural replacement Vratislav Lokvenc is suspended. The Czechs are hoping that Milan Baros, top scorer at UEFA Euro 2004, will be fit to start following a foot injury. With defender Tomas Ujfalusi suspended, the Eastern Europeans will also have to shuffle their cards at the back.
Suspensions
Tomas Ujfalusi (CZE)
Vratislav Lokvenc (CZE)
Daniele De Rossi (ITA)

Colours for the match
Czech Republic: white shirts, white shorts and white socks
Italy: blue shirts, blue shorts and blue socks

Past meetings
The two sides have met on five previous occasions, with each team recording two wins, two defeats and a draw. The most significant matches in recent history have seen the Azzurri beat the former Czechoslovakia 2-0 at Italia 90, with the Czechs gaining revenge thanks to a 2-1 win during EURO ‘96.

The duel
Gennaro Gattuso against Pavel Nedved. The contest between the Italian midfield terrier and the fulcrum of the Czech attack is a fascinating one. There is no love lost between the two, and the Serie A battles between their respective club sides AC Milan and Juventus have often hinged on the outcome of this individual skirmish. A less than diplomatic Gattuso has even stirred up the waters in the build-up to the game, and whatever the course of the match, sparks are sure to fly.

What they’re saying
Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner
“Italy are an experienced team with a great defence. They are one of the Group E favourites.”

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro
“To go out at the first hurdle of the World Cup would be failure for us. Having said that there are those in a worse position in our group, so touch wood.”