Worried Italy need a victory

IRENE, South Africa (AP):

If struggling Italy cannot manage to beat Slovakia today, the Azzurri could match France's unenviable feat from the 2002 World Cup and exit the group stage as defending champions.

"We're worried," midfielder Daniele De Rossi said. "I said it before and I'll say it again. If we don't make it past the first round, it would be a failure."

Italy's forwards have had trouble finding the target in their opening two games, both 1-1 draws, against Paraguay and 78th-ranked New Zealand,

"If we can't win, we don't deserve to advance," De Rossi added. "We're Italy and we ought to be able to win one of these three games - otherwise it would only be fair to go home."

Italy can comfort themselves with the memory that they also drew their opening two matches in 1982 when they went on to win their third title. In fact, the Azzurri drew all three of their opening games in '82.

"Don't be surprised if this team starts to reel off some good results," coach Marcello Lippi said. "You count the horses at the end of the race."

Advance automatically

If Italy win the match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, they will advance automatically, while a draw would require the Azzurri to hope that the other group game also finishes in a draw and Italy score more goals than New Zealand do against Paraguay.

If both group matches end in draws with the same score, a coin toss will decide whether Italy or New Zealand advance.

Slovakia's best chance is to win and hope that Paraguay win or draw.

Slovakia are playing in their first major tournament since the former Czechoslovakia divided in 1993. Coach Vladimir Weiss's side allowed a stoppage-time equaliser in their opening 1-1 draw with New Zealand and lost 2-0 to Paraguay.

"We missed our big chance with New Zealand and now it's going to be very tough to qualify against Italy," said Slovakia's attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik, who plays for Napoli in Italy's Serie A. "We've got to do more. Against Paraguay, we weren't able to put a shot on goal."

Slovakia defender Martin Petras also plays in Italy, with Cesena in Serie B.

"We have nothing to lose," Petras said. "They failed in the first match, they failed in the second, it's difficult to see them failing in the third. Italy never fail like that. But let's see, let's hope for a miracle."