DUISBURG : Italy has been in this position before.

The Azzurri opened with a 2-0 win over Ghana and their confidence is high entering Saturday's Group E match against the United States.

In the last World Cup, Italy also started off with a 2-0 win — over Ecuador — and followed it with a 2-1 loss to Croatia. Two games later, the Azzurri were on their way home after a golden goal by South Korea's Ahn Jung-hwan.

There's a difference this time, though.

Italy says the corruption scandal at home has brought this team together.

Strong bond

``We didn't have this feeling at past World Cups and European Championships,'' goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. ``There's a strong bond between us. When we were over-rated, I didn't have the modesty to admit it.''

— Photo: AP

Gianluca Zambrotta.

The United States is coming off a 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic and will be playing for survival.

``We definitely need to create more chances against Italy than we did against the Czechs,'' midfielder Bobby Convey said.

While Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta will still hold down the centre of Italy's defence, Italy could alter its flanks from the Ghana match.

Zambrotta returns

Gianluca Zambrotta has returned from a left thigh injury and will almost certainly start. The only question for coach Marcello Lippi is whether to use him at left or right back. Fabio Grosso played on the left against Ghana and Palermo teammate Cristian Zaccardo was on the right. One of them seems destined for the bench.

Playmaker Francesco Totti, still recovering from left leg surgery, is likely to play more than the 55 minutes he got against Ghana.

In attack, Vincenzo Iaquinta is threatening Alberto Gilardino's spot in the starting line-up.

Mauro Camoranesi was a fixture in Italy's midfield until Lippi replaced him with Simone Perrotta for the Ghana game.

Camoranesi didn't seem to mind too much.

``We have 23 players and everyone has the same goal — to reach the final and coronate a project that began two years ago with Lippi's arrival,'' he said. U.S. coach Bruce Arena is also expected to make changes.

Landon Donovan, who did little to combine with Brian McBride at forward against the Czechs, could be dropped back to attacking midfield, the position he prefers. Eddie Johnson, who entered at halftime and provided some spark, could start along with midfielder John O'Brien, who also came at mid-game.

Well-organised team

``The United States is a well-organised team that runs a lot. They've really improved in the last few years,'' Camoranesi said.

Italy has never lost to the Americans, winning three times at home and drawing twice in the United States.

Legions of Italians who live in Germany are following the Azzurri and the Americans are staying at nearby Ramstein Air Base and expecting strong support from U.S. military personnel in the area.

``We feel like we're at home, having a bunch of Americans there behind us,'' U.S. forward Eddie Johnson said. — AP

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