06/06/2002

INZAGHI BACK IN ITALY SIDE FOR CROATIA CLASH

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has decided to alter his formation for his side's encounter with Croatia on Saturday with Filippo Inzaghi set to partner Christian Vieri in a two-pronged attack.

Vieri led the line on his own against Ecuador with Francesco Totti prompting from an advanced midfield position.

However, after Inzaghi's recovery from a knee injury, Trapattoni has decided to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Totti playing a conventional playmaker's role and Cristiano Doni dropping to the bench.

"Inzaghi has recovered from his injury and we need a more direct striker against Croatia," he explained. "But I will have the option to change the system again during the match.

"For sure we have to play better in attack when defenders lose the ball and we have to put more pressure on our opponents' defenders."

Trapattoni also has a minor doubt over defensive midfielder Luigi di Biagio, who is carrying a slight hamstring strain.

In the unlikely event that the Internazionale man fails to declare his fitness, he will be replaced by AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso.

Italy: Buffon; Panucci, F Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini, Zambrotta, Di Biagio, Tommasi, Totti, Vieri, F Inzaghi
 

[Onefootball.com]