Group G today - Italy-Ecuador

Italy look for good start this time vs EcuadorItaly, one of the favourites for the World Cup, need to end a bad habit when they open their Group G campaign against Ecuador today.

The Italians are notoriously slow starters, having won just one of their last five opening games in World Cup finals.

Even when they won their third title, back in 1982, they drew all their group games before striker Paolo Rossi hit his stride and took them to victory over West Germany in the final.

Ecuador, playing in their first World Cup, on paper offer the easiest game in what looks a comfortable group for the Italians.

But coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been at pains to remind his players and the demanding Italian public that they can take nothing for granted against the South Americans, especially after Senegal's shock win over France in the tournament's opener.

"You don't finish above Brazil in your qualification group unless you have certain qualities, unless you are a good side," he said.

"They came through a very difficult qualification process but we should not be over-nervous, nor should we be over-optimistic," added the Italy coach.

Italy were unbeaten in qualification, conceding just three goals in eight games and Trapattoni will expect his defence to be as tight as in the last three World Cups.

The Italians have conceded just 10 goals in those 19 games and were beaten only once in normal time - a defeat by Ireland in New York in the opening game of the 1994 tournament.

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez is expected to pack his midfield and play with Agustin Delgado as a lone striker and that tactic has prompted a tactical rethink from Trapattoni.

Throughout qualification the Italy coach played with a three-pronged attack and three central defenders, but he will field a 4-4-2 formation in Sapporo with key man Francesco Totti partnering Christian Vieri in attack.

Christian Panucci, considered a former international a year ago, will complete his return to the fold by making his first finals appearance at right-back.

Cristiano Doni, another player who has benefited from Trapattoni's late change of heart, will start on the left flank but Alessandro Del Piero, desperate to make amends for a disappointing showing four years ago, will join Vincenzo Montella among the substitutes.

Filippo Inzaghi, who has spent the week in a battle to be fit after injuring his knee in a friendly against Kashima Antlers, will make up an impressive back-up forward on the bench.

The pressure will be on Vieri to deliver the firepower and the powerfully-built striker is convinced that Italy can go all the way. Italy play Croatia and Mexico later in the group.

"I think at least now, at the start, we are very strong and we have great potential. There is a great feeling between us and that is important," said Vieri.

"But there are no easy opponents at a World Cup, there are going to be three battles (in the group). Ecuador are a good team, we need to respect them and be at 100 per cent on the field."

Probable teams...

Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini, Zambrotta, Tommasi, Di Biagio, Doni, Totti, Vieri.

Ecuador: Cevallos, De la Cruz, Hurtado, Porozo, Guerron, Tenorio, Obregon, Chala, Mendez, Aguinaga, Delgado.

Referee: Brian Hall (United States).

On TV: TVM, Rai Uno 1.30 p.m.