Soccer: Terrific trio to lead Italian push

SENDAI - Italy take on Croatia tonight chasing goals and the chance to seal their place in the second round.

The Italians, who notched up a solid 2-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening group G game, can qualify if they win and Mexico fail to beat Ecuador in the group's other match.

Croatia, who lost 1-0 to Mexico in their opening game, need a win to keep alive their hopes of making progress.

Despite an impressive display in their first outing, Italy will alter their personnel and formation against the Croats, putting out one of the most potent attacks in the game.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has opted for an adventurous formation with the "terrific trio" of Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi in attack.

Italy may be famed for their impressive defence, which has conceded just 10 goals in their past 20 finals games, but they now possess an attack which has equally impressive statistics.

Vieri, who scored both goals against Ecuador, has claimed seven in six games in the finals after notching five during France 98.

Inzaghi scored seven goals in seven appearances during the Italians' unbeaten qualification campaign.

"We have forwards that all the world envy and we have to exploit that opportunity to create problems for Croatia," said Trapattoni.

Behind the goal-a-game strike pairing will be Totti, no mean marksman himself but far more effective in the role he will reclaim tonight - threading through the passes for others.

"Totti is in very good shape and I prefer to take advantage of all his qualities," Trapattoni said.

Inzaghi missed the opening group G victory over Ecuador because of a knee injury, and Totti partnered Vieri in attack.

Midfielder Cristiano Doni is expected to make way, with the versatile Christian Panucci moving to the left of midfield.

Croatia, semifinalists four years ago, will draw strength from the fact that they are the only team in the group who have ever beaten the Italians - in a European Championship qualifier in Palermo in 1994.

Trapattoni also fears they may come out fighting as they seek to put the Mexico loss behind them.



Croatia will be without suspended defender Boris Zivkovic, who was sent off against Mexico, which could enable experienced defender Dario Simic to win back his place in the side after recovering from a calf injury.

Playmaker Robert Prosinecki was disappointing in the defeat by Mexico, but should retain his place, feeding experienced strikers Davor Suker and Alen Boksic.

Probable teams:

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini; Gianluca Zambrotta, Luigi Di Biagio, Damiano Tommasi, Christian Panucci; Francesco Totti; Filippo Inzaghi, Christian Vieri.

Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa; Dario Simic, Robert Kovac, Josep Simunic, Robert Jarni; Stjepan Tomas, Zvonimir Soldo, Niko Kovac, Robert Prosinecki; Davor Suker, Alen Boksic.

- REUTERS

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