Preview: Italy vs. USA

June 17th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

GAME DETAILS
Italy vs. United States, Kaiserslautern, 21:00 CET
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THE BIG PICTURE
It’s do or die today for a deflated team USA. After going down 3-0 to an impressive Czech team they need a result to keep hopes of a 2002 repeat alive. That should mean all out attack, which will definitely make things interesting. Italy already have three points in the bag, and won’t be feeling too much pressure, so expect them to follow the Czech Republic’s lead and look to catch USA on the counter. Group E table

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Scout Report – Italy

The Moggi scandal had no adverse effects on this Italian team, as they delighted the nation by eschewing their traditional sluggish start. Ghana gave the Italians a game, but that probably says more about Ghana’s strengths than it does about any Italian weaknesses. As expected, we didn’t see the negative Italy of years gone by, as they played two forwards in Gilardino and Toni with Totti pulling the strings from just behind. A nice middle ground between their natural defensive strength and a dangerous attacking threat. It wasn’t top Totti against Ghana, but he should be nearer to match fitness for this encounter.

Scout Report – USA

The wheels came off the American wagon against the Czech Republic. The long-time game plan of aggressively pressing a Czech team skilled in possession football was torn up after the Czechs took a fifth minute lead. Nedved and pals got numbers back, let Arena’s men have the ball, and then annihilated them on the counter. The biggest disappointment for USA fans was the teams abject lack of ideas going forward. Landon Donovan failed to create, and Brian McBride looked lost and alone up front. Expect a change of personnel and tactics with young, pacey forward Eddie Johnson set to get his chance after being the only bright spot against Czech Republic.

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the USA vs. Italy LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers; name, caps, goals, coach:

Italy (4-3-1-2): 1-Gianluigi Buffon (61-0); 19-Gianluca Zambrotta (52-1), 13-Alessandro Nesta (75-0), 5-Fabio Cannavaro (94-1), 3-Fabio Grosso (18-1); Daniele De Rossi (18-3), 21-Andrea Pirlo (25-5), 20-Simone Perrotta (25-1); 10-Francesco Totti (52-8); 9-Luca Toni (19-7), 11-Alberto Gilardino (156-7). Coach: Marcello Lippi.

United States (4-4-2): 18-Kasey Keller (94-0); 7-Eddie Lewis (71-8), 22-Oguchi Onyewu (15-1), 23-Eddie Pope (81-8), 6-Steve Cherundolo (36-1); 15-Bobby Convey (40-1), 10-Claudio Reyna (110-8), 4-Pablo Mastroeni (49-0), 17-DaMarcus Beasley (59-12); 21-Landon Donovan (82-25), 20-Brian McBride (93-30) Coach: Bruce Arena

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Italy

Italy are unbeaten in their last 19 matches and have never lost to the U.S. in five matches dating back to a 7-1 win on the opening day of the 1934 World Cup finals in Rome.

Italy has two microstates within its borders: Vatican City and San Marino.

Anyone reading this with glasses on? The first recorded existence of eyeglasses was in late 13th century Italy.

Italy Team Blog
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United States

U.S. coach Bruce Arena: “We’re not in a coma yet but we’re not going to play with the same plan that we used against the Czechs. We threw that page away after the game and we’ll try to come up with a new one.”

Rupert Murdoch very recently footed the bill for the US Armed Forces Network to air some World Cup matches military personnel, after FIFA refused to do so for free.

The word “soccer” is an abbreviation of “association rules.”

USA Team Blog
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
Italy Team Blog
USA Team Blog

Tags: Italy, June 17, USA, usa vs. italy, World Cup Previews

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Comments

By P Diddy | June 16th, 2006 at 5:21 pm

Im in the future.

Posted from United States

By tito | June 17th, 2006 at 10:36 am

goodbye, USA.

Posted from Australia

By pwnawannab | June 17th, 2006 at 5:11 pm

I may not be here for the start of the game but want to be surprised with 1:0 USA before the second half.

Posted from United States

By Roland | June 17th, 2006 at 7:09 pm

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to follow the game on this blog, I’m going out to get drunk with friends at a local watering hole. But good luck to the USA!

Sorry Dino, see you at USA v. Ghana!

Posted from United States

By Darkoze | June 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pm

Fightin’ Phils’ Sal Fasano is for Italia. I’m for Italia.
3-0 for Italy and at least a bakers dozen operatic dives by the theatrical Azzuri. A fluttering of yellow cards for all.

Posted from United States

By grizzle | June 17th, 2006 at 10:57 pm

damn…next game…USA has to win.

By Gallen | June 18th, 2006 at 9:51 am

Is this Kelong or what from Italy?

vote for the most kelong team at this year’s World Cup at http://kelongstocks.blogspot.com

Posted from Singapore