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Italy v Ghana
Italy are willing to sacrifice flair for three precious points from their opening World Cup match against four-time African champions Ghana today.
The Italians are breathtaking to watch when they turn it on, but their coach Marcello Lippi insists winning their first Group E game in Hanover takes priority over entertainment.
"It's a hugely important match and all that counts is getting the victory," said Lippi, whose side are unbeaten in their last 18 matches and are facing the Black Stars for the very first time.
"A strong start is imperative, although we have to be wary. Ghana are a technical side, full of pace and individual talent, but I have faith in my players," he said.
Utility defender Gianluca Zambrotta and midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso have both been ruled out with injuries, but stylish center-back Alessandro Nesta is expected to start after overcoming a thigh strain.
Despite losing two of his regulars, Lippi is confident his squad has enough strength in depth to overcome their injury concerns.
"It's difficult to replace players like Zambrotta and Gattuso, but we have to be positive," said the 58-year-old who won every major trophy at club level with Juventus.
"I may have a thousand faults as a coach, but I've never cried about injuries," he said.
Italy doctor Enrico Castellacci said Nesta, who has not taken part in a full training session since the team's arrival in Germany, was available for selection for today's match.
Castellacci added he expected Zambrotta and Gattuso to resume training next week.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro insisted the Serie A match-fixing scandal, which could see his club Juventus demoted to Italy's second division, had galvanized the squad rather than fragment it.
"Now we are here, all we are thinking about is football," he said. "It's been a difficult time and the only place that we can give a good response is on the pitch."
Ghana are relishing the chance to pit their wits against one of Europe's finest teams.
"We'll beat Italy," bragged 29-year-old defender Sammy Kuffour, who plays in Italy for Roma and was a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich.
"Italy have won the World Cup three times and recently beat Germany 4-1 in a friendly, but we could be the surprise team of the tournament," he said.
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, a former Juventus player, was slightly less bullish.
"I don't know know if we will beat Italy, but I feel that we will leave our mark on this tournament," he said.
Ghana, whose strength lies in midfield where Appiah plays alongside box-to-box Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, struggled at the African Nations Cup in Egypt this year, crashing out before the knockout phase.
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