WORLD CUP SOCCER ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Today’s Games at a Glance
GROUP E at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
ITALY vs. MEXICO
* TIME: 9:30 a.m. PDT
* TV: ESPN, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: The Mexicans were able to shut down Norway and Ireland, holding them to one goal each. But what will they do with the potent Italian offense?
Jorge Campos, Mexican’s goalkeeper, who is known for his brightly colored uniforms, can also be his team’s scuff mark. Sprinting out 15 yards for a crossing pass might work against a slower team, but not against Italy.
Defenders Ramirez Perales and Claudio Suarez will probably mark the Italian scoring power of Roberto Baggio and Giuseppe Signori. Baggio has been a non-factor because of an Achilles’ tendon injury, and Signori has struggled with only one assist.
The game will probably be won at midfield, where Dino Baggio has had a splendid tournament for the Italians, as has Mexico’s Alberto Garcia Aspe.
Top Mexican scorer Luis Garcia and Hugo Sanchez--if he is not benched again--will challenge an Italian defense that does not have suspended goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca. Replacement Luca Marchegiani is still unproven.
The Italian defense is also missing veteran sweeper Franco Baresi, but that’s no loss. He might be the most overrated player in the tournament.
* OUTLOOK: With all four teams in Group E tied with 1-1 records, the winner of this game is ensured a spot in the second round. Because Mexico has one more goal than the Italians--they are equal in goal differential, the first tiebreaker, at zero--it can afford to play for a tie. The Italians must win, if only for the safety of Coach Arrigo Sacchi when he returns home.
The emotion belongs to the Mexicans, who played so well in a 2-1 victory over Ireland that they even taunted the Irish. It is not, however, emotion that wins these games. It is coolness and intelligent play, both of which are possessed in greater amounts by the Italians.
* OUTCOME: The game is too important for anybody to take a chance. It will be a 1-1 tie. The Mexicans will dance and the Italians will sweat the next two days.
