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On June 17, the second round of matches will begin for the teams in Group E. In the second Group E match, at 19:00, the group leaders, the Czechs, who crushed the US footballers 3-0 in the first match, will meet Ghana's national team, who started the World Cup debut with a 0-2 defeat to Italy.
Group E Italy - USA Location: Fritz-Walter Stadion, Kaiserslautern (43.5 thousand spectators) Time: June 17th, 22:00 Lithuanian time
Head-to-head matches Before facing the Italian national team, the USA played a total of 5 matches. Three times the USA "celebrated" draws, and twice they were forced to acknowledge the superiority of the Europeans. An interesting fact - the biggest victory of the Italian national team is precisely against the USA national team. On August 2, 1948 in New York, the Italians simply wiped out the Americans from the ground with a score of 9-0.
Predictions The favorites of this match are undoubtedly the Italians. In the first championship match, the "Azzurri" showed a high-level game, which was not only quite technical, but also very pleasing to the eye. Meanwhile, the Americans had a serious conversation with coach Bruce Arena after their shameful defeat to the Czech Republic. In the end, even the Americans no longer have high hopes for the further stages of the championship - former US national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel: "If we make it out of the group, it could be called a miracle."
First matches Italy: In the first championship match, Italy clashed with Ghana. "Squadra Azzurra" played a very technical and visually pleasing game throughout all the matches. Creating many dangerous attacks in front of Ghana's goal, the Italians deservedly won by a score of 2-0. The goals were scored by A.Pirlo (40th minute) and Gilardino, who replaced V.Iaquinta (83rd minute).
USA: Although the USA had high ambitions and it was thought that the match would be tough and dramatic, the Americans, after conceding a goal by Jan Koller in the 5th minute, did not show good play and let the Czechs feel like hosts of the match. The poor play by the USA was crowned with a painful 0-3 defeat.
Opinions: Italy Italy's national team coach M.Lippi announced that he does not underestimate the USA national team, despite suffering a painful defeat to the Czechs.
"I expected a tougher match. Over the past five years, the USA has made a huge step forward." - said the "Squadra Azzurra" coach. - "Four years ago they reached the quarterfinals of the championship, so they arrived in Germany full of confidence."
"If we hadn't managed to beat Ghana, these matches against the USA would be very, very difficult. However, they will not be easy either." - added M.Lippi.
At the moment, Italy continues a 19-match unbeaten streak.
Midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who stood out in the match against Ghana, is not inclined to change this statistic, but emphasizes that the USA players should not be underestimated:
"We may not appreciate the USA national team as we should. However, they must win against us or they will go home." - said the Italian.
"They were crushed by the Czechs in the first match, and I think that will force them to seek three points at all costs."
USA Meanwhile, USA coach Bruce Arena hopes that his team will react to the defeat against the Czechs and will strive to perform well in today's match.
"We lost the match," the coach said. - "The challenge in every sport is how you respond after a defeat."
"If there is even a drop of confidence in the team, we will definitely rise. It's time to shine, recover, and show who we are" - Arena did not hide his hopes. - "I think we are ready to put in all the effort against Italy."
After the defeat to the Czech Republic, Arena criticized Landon Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley for their poor performance.
"Losing a match 3-0 is certainly not our plan. We will turn this page and strive for a better one." - said the USA coach.
Players Italy: Defender Gianluca Zambrotta, after recovering from an injury, will most likely return to the main team and take his place on the defensive flank instead of Fabio Grosso or Cristiano Zaccardo. Francesco Totti recovered from a knee injury and should play, while Vincenzo Iaquinta could replace Alberto Gilardino in the attacking line.
USA: After a poor performance by Donovan, the player may start the match on the bench or take an attacking midfielder position. Eddie Johnson or John O'Brien could be in the starting lineup.
Possible lineups: Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso; De Rossi, Pirlo, Perrotta; Totti; Toni, Gilardino.
USA: Keller; Lewis, Onyewu, Pope, Cherundolo; Convey, Reyna, Mastroeni, Beasley; Donovan, McBride.
