WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE
GROUP E at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Italy vs. Norway
* TIME: 1 p.m. PDT
* TELEVISION: ESPN and Univision.
* KEY MATCHUPS: Italy will find Norway’s defense every bit as difficult as Ireland’s was. Using Jan Age Fjortoft as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield gives Norway the flexibility to switch quickly from defense or offense. This transition game is one of the team’s strengths.
Norway also has a strong bench and uses its substitutes shrewdly.
Italy, meanwhile, still is having trouble adapting to its new 4-3-3 alignment. Also evident in the 1-0 loss to the Irish was the ineffectiveness of veteran defender Franco Baresi. He has apparently lost that vital step needed at the World Cup level.
Giuseppe Signori, the only player Italy has these days who even resembles a striker, will be looking for his first World Cup goal. Roberto Baggio, who was supposed to be the brightest star of the tournament, has yet to shine. It’s now or never for the ponytailed Bhuddist, who is likely to find an avowed Christian, Norwegian sweeper Rune Bratseth, blocking his way.
* OUTLOOK: With a rabid press baying for his blood and a team whose confidence has been rattled by a loss to Ireland, Italy Coach Arrigo Sacchi is a man under siege. If his team loses today, he might as well apply for permanent residence in the United States.
Sacchi’s Norwegian counterpart, Egil Olsen, has no such worries and was pictured in a newspaper recently sun-bathing on the side of the field as he watched his players practice.
Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt was in excellent form against Mexico and will need to match that effort in this game.
* OUTCOME: The Italians have to win; the Norwegians do not. Unlike the game against Ireland, Italy will have most of the fans on its side. The Italians will be out to redeem themselves and should do so by a single goal. Look for Italy to win, 1-0 or 2-1, and for the Italian press to then predict that Italy will win the World Cup.
