Soccer: Cat's out of the bag for battling Socceroos

Italy's Francesco Totti can get the side firing but he's still short on fitness. Picture / Reuters

Australia v Italy
Kaiserslautern, Tuesday, 3am

DUISBURG - Australia defender Lucas Neill believes there will be no way of surprising Italy in their knockout clash in Kaiserslautern tomorrow.

Italy have never played Australia and, at the start of the tournament, expected to meet Croatia in the last 16. But Neill says the Azzurri will now know exactly what they are up against.

"I think we've let that out of the bag in the last three games. We will respect Italy, we won't fear them, and I'm sure they'll do the same because they'll have to respect us," said the Socceroos defender.

"This is the World Cup and anything's possible, so we'll be going out there with no fear," he said.

But the Blackburn Rovers player has no illusions about the status gap between the two teams. "Italy have won three World Cups and starred in many tournaments. Their reputation is massive so it's real David and Goliath," he said.

The Italians booked their place in the knockout stage with an efficient 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic but Neill said it is unlikely Italy will be able to impose their preferred approach on the game.

"They're a ruthless team. They're used to going out, getting a goal and protecting it - but I can't see it being a 1-0 against Australia. It's going to be a fantastic game.

"We've taken on the biggest team [Brazil] and given them a good run for their money and made people look at us. I don't consider Italy a lesser team than Brazil but why should we fear them? We've got as many strengths as they have now," he said.

Marcello Lippi's side have yet to truly shine, largely due to the subdued form of their main creative force Francesco Totti, who is not 100 per cent fit following a three-month lay-off with a broken ankle. But Lippi has placed his faith in the Roma player for every game so far and the players have backed his choice.

Midfielder Simone Perrotta said: "He is not a luxury for the side - in the role that he occupies there isn't anyone else who can make an impact the way that he does."

The Italy coach has rotated his side for all his games and, against the Czechs, opted for an unusual formation with Alberto Gilardino left on his own in attack with Totti and Mauro Camoranesi supporting from midfield.

Central defender Alessandro Nesta is ruled out after his groin injury flared up again during the win over the Czechs. Marco Materazzi, who headed in the opener after replacing Nesta, is likely to stand in alongside captain Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence.

- REUTERS