Soccer: Slow-starters Italy take nothing for granted in opener

SENDAI - Italy need to end a bad habit when they open their group G campaign against Ecuador tonight.

The Italians are notoriously slow starters, having won just one of their last five opening games in the finals.

Even when they captured their third title, in 1982, they drew all their group games before striker Paolo Rossi hit his stride and took them to victory over West Germany in the final.

Ecuador, playing in their first World Cup, on paper offer the easiest game in what looks a comfortable group for the Italians.

But coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been at pains to remind his players and the demanding Italian public that they can take nothing for granted against the South Americans. "You don't finish above Brazil in your qualification group unless you have certain qualities, unless you are a good side," he said.

"They came through a very difficult qualification process, but we should not be over-nervous, nor should we be over-optimistic."

Italy were unbeaten in their qualifying matches, conceding just three goals in eight games, and Trapattoni will expect his defence to be as tight as in the last three World Cups.

The Italians conceded just 10 goals in those 19 games and were beaten only once in normal time - by Ireland in New York in the opening game of the 1994 tournament.

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez is expected to pack his midfield and play with Agustin Delgado as a lone striker, and that tactic has prompted a tactical rethink from Trapattoni.

Throughout the qualifying round, the Italy coach played with a three-pronged attack and three central defenders, but he will field a 4-4-2 formation in Sapporo, where key man Francesco Totti will partner Christian Vieri in attack.

Christian Panucci, considered a former international a year ago, will complete his return to the fold by making his first finals appearance at right back.

Probable teams:

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

Ecuador: Jose Cevallos; Ulises De la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Augusto Porozo, Raul Guerron; Edwin Tenorio, Alfonso Obregon, Cleber Chala, Edison Mendez, Alex Aguinaga; Agustin Delgado.

- REUTERS

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