Soccer: Italy's defence the key

All eyes will be on forwards Christian Vieri and Francesco Totti when Italy open their campaign against Ecuador on Monday, but it is Italy's defence which is likely to be the real match-winner.

Italy conceded just three goals in their unbeaten eight-match qualification campaign - two of those in their opening game in Budapest against Hungary.

They achieved that with an unusually adventurous formation of just three defenders.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni is hinting strongly that the already formidable trio of Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini will be given extra assistance, if any were needed, by the introduction of Christian Panucci at right-back.

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