Test of nerve for Latin rivals

Praise for Portugal
Both teams won their opening games on Wednesday - Portugal beat Liechtenstein 5-0, but Italy had it less easy against Norway, winning 1-0 through a late penalty. "Portugal have always been our rivals," Berrettini said. "In every level they always go far. With them you can talk about technical, creative players, who play with freedom.

'A difficult game'
"It will be a difficult game. The team that keeps its nerve, that shows patience will win - it's a match neither of us can afford to lose." Berrettini said he was "partially satisfied" by his side's performance against Norway, citing concerns over the fitness of his players following their long summer break.

Mantovani missing
Defender Andrea Mantovani injured his right knee in that match and will sit out the two remaining group games, his place tomorrow passing to Alessandro Potenza. Portugal coach Carlos Dinis, meanwhile, admitted he was "planning to rotate the squad" although the changes would be "nothing major".

Possible rotation
Assessing his opponents, he said: "Italy are like any other Italian team. They defend well, they form a solid group leaving two forwards. One of them defends when they don't have the ball, but when they have it they use those two forwards immediately. We have to be in charge of the game, just like yesterday, but concentrate hard when defending."

Toulon trio
Portugal's side against Liechtenstein included three players from their Under-20 side which defeated Italy in the final of the Toulon tournament in June - Amoreirinha, Hugo Almeida and Filipe Oliveira. Striker Hugo Almeida will hope for better having been sent off in that match.

Bühler to start
Liechtenstein and Norway meet in the other Group A game in Triesen, which kicks off at 18.30 CET. Christoph Bühler will replace the suspended Reto Mündle in the Liechtenstein starting lineup.