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Italy needs victory against Brazil in Confed Cup

Struggling Italy meets an upbeat Brazilian team Sunday in a decisive Group B match that could send the loser home from the Confederations Cup.

Italy needs a victory by two goals to secure a spot in the semifinals without depending on the match between the United States and Egypt, while a draw will be enough for the Brazilians.

Italy is coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Egypt. Brazil appears to be hitting its stride after a dominating 3-0 win over the United States.

The match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria is one of the most anticipated in the eight-team competition in South Africa, pitting two title favorites against each other. European champion Spain is the other top contender in the tournament, which is being used as a World Cup warmup.

"It's a world classic and every player likes to be part of a match like this," Brazil striker Robinho said. "We respect the quality of the Italian players, but we are motivated to win."

The Brazilians wouldn't mind sending their rivals home earlier than expected.

"It would be good if we can eliminate Italy now," Kaka said. "They didn't have a good start in the 2006 World Cup either but ended winning the competition. You can't underestimate them."

Brazil has six points, three more than Italy and Egypt. The United States has yet to earn a point and is virtually eliminated.

Italy has left itself with a difficult task considering that it hasn't beaten Brazil since the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Brazil won two matches and drew another two since then.

Italy can advance with a draw if Egypt fails to beat the Americans in Rustenburg, but the Italians remain confident they can overcome the Brazilians.

"Brazil is certainly in better form in terms of skill and ball control, but I think we're in better form physically right now, and when two teams like that meet I always pick the one in better physical form," Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said.

The Italians have been downplaying the importance of the Confederations Cup and blaming injuries for the team's disappointing performances, and the match against Brazil is seen as another test ahead of next year's World Cup.

"The most important thing to me is that we at least show we're capable of playing with these big teams," Buffon said. "Whether we win, draw or lose, or advance or not, is less important. Now if we lose by a large margin, that would mean we're very far behind schedule, but I don't think that will happen."

Before losing to Egypt, Italy had to erase a 1-0 deficit in a 3-1 win against a 10-man U.S. team in its opener. The loss prompted the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper to call the Italian players "mummies."

"I didn't think it took much fantasy to come up with that," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said Saturday. "But watch out, mummies sometimes shed their bandages."

Brazil enters the match boosted by a solid performance against the United States, when it improved defensively and offensively from the sloppy 4-3 opening victory over Egypt.

"We are getting better within the competition," Robinho said. "We should be improving against Italy and continue to improve until the final, playing better in each match."

Defending champion Brazil will be eliminated only if its loses to Italy by two goals and Egypt beats the United States by at least three goals.

Brazil coach Dunga made four changes for the match against the United States to rest the regular starers and give opportunities to some of the reserves, and said he is likely to make more substitutions against Italy.

Lippi also is likely to alter his lineup, mostly on defense and at midfield. Captain Fabio Cannavaro, who decided to stay in South Africa despite the death of his grandfather, could match Paolo Maldini's record of 126 national team appearances.

It will be the first match between the rivals since a 2-0 win for Brazil in a friendly in London in February. The team's have never faced each other in the Confederations Cup.

Sunday's match will take place on the same date as the 1970 World Cup final in which the Brazilians -- led by Pele -- came out victorious 4-1. Brazil also defeated Italy in a penalty shootout in the 1994 World Cup final. Associated Press