Soccer: Familiar rivals in crucial clash

DUISBURG - Italy, who need a point to be sure of a place in the second round, meet familiar and formidable opponents in group E rivals Czech Republic.

Former European player of the year Pavel Nedved has won three Italian titles with Juventus and Lazio while his Czech teammate Marek Jankulovski has had six seasons in Serie A with AC Milan and Udinese.

The pair are important to their team's counter-attacking game, with Nedved's bursts from midfield and long-range shooting feared by Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

"Pavel is an annoying player to play against," said Cannavaro, who plays alongside Nedved at Juventus.

"He has great spirit, sets an example to teammates, has real inner-strength and plays with passion. He is a genuine professional and a player to fear."

Italy lead the group on four points, with the Czechs, who need a win to be sure of going through, on three points with Ghana.

Jankulovski, Nedved and suspended Fiorentina defender Tomas Ujfalusi have been feeding coach Karel Brueckner with information on the Italian players.

"The coach asked the three of us who play in Serie A advice about Marcello Lippi's team and we provided him plenty of it," Jankulovski said.

"We have a lot to play for and are well aware of the difficulty of the task ahead.

"After six years of playing in Italy I can't deny this game has a special flavour for me," the Milan wing back said.

Czech striker Jan Koller is injured and his replacement Vratislav Lokvenc is suspended.

But the Czechs received a boost with the news Milan Baros may be fit for tomorrow's game.

"We haven't had a lot of luck on the injury front and obviously it would be very good for us if we could field Baros," Jankulovski said.

Martin Jiranek or Radoslav Kovac will stand in for Ujfalusi in defence.

Italy's selection problems are more in midfield where Daniele De Rossi is suspended following his red card in the 1-1 draw with United States and Simone Perrotta is struggling with a leg injury.

Lippi may push fullback Gianluca Zambrotta into midfield but must wait for tests on striker Alberto Gilardino's sore ankle.

TOMORROW

Italy v Czech Republic
Hamburg, 2am

- REUTERS