Soccer: Italian job for hitman Sheva

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is the main threat to Italy's hopes of reaching the semifinals - but at least they know all about him.

Shevchenko, pictured, was the darling of AC Milan fans during seven seasons at the San Siro in which he scored 173 goals and helped them win the Champions League and Serie A.

But he will not be thinking about that tomorrow. "It will be very hard but I will only be thinking about how to best play for Ukraine," he said. His decision last month to become Chelsea's record signing robbed the Italian league of one of its top players and former Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta knows how good he is. "There are few players like him in the world," said the Italy defender, who will miss the quarter-final because of a groin injury.

"To stop Shevchenko you have to be at 100 per cent because he has very few weak points. You have to stick with him for the whole 90 minutes."

Shevchenko was equally complimentary about Italy. "I would single out the whole team," he said when asked about their strongest players.

Nesta's absence and the suspension of natural replacement Marco Materazzi leaves Italy coach Marcello Lippi with no option but to field inexperienced Andrea Barzagli alongside Fabio Cannavaro.

Lippi has altered his personnel and formation for each of the Azzurri's games so far in the tournament and will be under pressure to recall Francesco Totti to the starting lineup. Totti, not yet back to full fitness after three months out with a broken ankle, started on the bench against Australia but came on in the final 15 minutes and converted the last-gasp penalty which secured passage to the last eight.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin has received a major blow with striker Andriy Voronin ruled out for the rest of the World Cup and either Andriy Vorobei or Serhiy Rebrov will partner Shevchenko.

Also back in the frame in Hamburg is defender Volodymir Yezersky, who missed the last three games due to a thigh injury.

* Italy v Ukraine
* Hamburg, tomorrow 7am

- REUTERS