Preview: Italy vs. USA

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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