Italy start their World Cup campaign against Ghana on Monday looking to revive the spirit that brought them their third and last triumph in 1982. A furore about Serie A match-fixing allegations has built a siege mentality and the players are determined to show the best face of Italian soccer, pundits say.
Coach Marcello Lippi radiated optimism despite losing three key players for one or two matches: AC Milan midfield powerhouse Gennaro Guttuso, Juventus' all-action defensive flanker Giancarlo Zambrotta and world-class stopper Alessandro Nesta of AC Milan.
The acknowledged star of the team, Francesco Totti of Roma, is meanwhile struggling to regain match fitness after a two-month injury lay-off.
But Lippi told reporters: "I'm not one to sit and moan, Just being here is magic. The squad is tight, cohesive. People are ready to step up and do a job when needed," referring to replacements Massimo Oddo of Lazio, Simone Perrotta of Roma and Inter's Marco Materazzi.
Italy legend Paolo Rossi, whose six goals clinched victory in 1982, said the mood in the squad reminded him of the build-up 24 years ago, when Italy were in a media black-out after a flood of criticism. Rossi, now a pundit, said Italy's disappointing recent friendlies against Switzerland and Ukraine and the team's injury problems would help the squad bond.
"It helps. It fortifies the group," he said.
Italy will be hoping to extend an 18-match unbeaten run against the Ghanaian 'Black Stars'.
But they must not make the mistake of underestimating a team that, although a World Cup debutant, has won the Africa Cup four times. "We know they have strong players, most of them with big European clubs," Lippi said. Ghana are powered by midfield engine Michael Essien who became Africa's most expensive player - 24.5 million pounds - when he moved to Premier League giants Chelsea last summer.
They also have two players who know the Serie A very well: team captain Stephen Appiah, who won a scudetto in three years at Juventus, and defender Sammy Kuffour who plays his club football with Totti. The Black Stars have had an impressive run-up to the tournament, smashing Jamaica 4-1 and notching a 3-1 win over South Korea, Italy's nemesis at the last World Cup in 2002.
Essien has been on the score sheet along with youngsters Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah.
Appiah, who just missed another title with Turkey's Fenerbahce this year, cited two historical precedents to put notoriously slow starters Italy on their guard. "No one thought Cameroon would beat Argentina in 1990, or Senegal defeat holders France in 2002".
After Ghana, with Nesta and perhaps Zambrotta back in the team, Italy take on the United States on June 17. The US have steadily improved in recent World Cups and were unlucky to be knocked out by eventual finalists Germany last time out.
Steered by canny captain Claudio Reyna of Manchester City and with dangerman DaMarcus Beasely of PSV Eindhoven up
front, they are no means a pushover. But Italy still expect their final group match, against the Czech Republic in Hamburg on June 22, will decide which of the two European giants will clinch No.1 spot.
Former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved of Juventus has come out of retirement to link with classy midfielder Tomas Rosicky, veteran winger Karel Poborsky and record scorer Jan Koller (40 goals in 66 appearances).
The Czechs also have one of the safest pairs of hands in the business in Chelsea's Petr Cech. Coming top in the group would give Italy a possible second-round match against Croatia, likely group runners-up to Brazil.
If all goes well, a quarter-final with France beckons, followed by a semi-final against either Germany or Argentina. As long as Brazil and Italy win their groups they will avoid each other and some see a repeat of the 1994 final. For Fiorentina's Luca Toni, record-breaking Serie A scorer this season, it would be a dream.
"I was just four when Rossi scored that fantastic hat-trick against Brazil in 1982, but I still remember it," said the 28-year-old late bloomer who is forging an effective partnership with AC Milan's Alberto Gilardino. Other veterans like captain Fabio Cannavaro of Inter, Filippo Inzaghi of AC Milan and Juve star Alessandro Del Piero will have their last crack at soccer's biggest prize.
But it is Totti, who has failed twice to claim his place among soccer's greats, who must be dreaming more than most. Unfairly sent off in Italy's second-round debacle against South Korea in 2002 and disgraced by an overblown spitting incident at Euro 2004, the Roma captain is hoping his time has finally come.
It was all he needed to pick up a serious ankle injury that required surgery ahead of the tournament. But even with his problems of regaining match fitness, the playmaker-forward showed the spirit in the camp when the latest injury news came in.
"The way things are going, it looks like I'll be the fittest," he quipped.
