I honestly believe Portugal can win this game. It is in Italy, but that shouldn't be a factor considering Denmark and Belgium were able to go their and snatch victories.
Portugal is far superior in the midfield, I believe this will be the deciding factor, Rui Costa, Luis Figo, Sergio Conceicao, Paulo Sousa that is dangerous even on paper. Del Pierio cant even hit the net when he plays for Italy, Christian Vieri will not play but netheir will Portugal's keeper Vitor Baia. Portugal 1 Italy 0 (At the very, very least.)

Without Vieri,italy wont win,if they had Vieri ,the game would probably end 1-1.

Problem ain't Vieri alone. Vieri, Montella, Totti, Delvecchio are either out or out of form.
Zoff should play Zola up-front. Currently he is Italy's best attacker.
And yeah...bring in Baronio...

Portuga 3-1 Then Zoff gets replaced ...

I predict a 0-0 draw.

Forget about Zola,he will never play for Italy again as long as Zoff is there.Zoff doesnt use players that play in other leagues other than serie A.

I said SHOULD - can't you read??? And don't tell me to FORGET anything. Zola is 1000 times better than that hype-creature. I appreciate your enthusiasm when it goes down to italian topics...but chill for Christ's sake.

I don't think Zoff will get fired 1 month before the start of Euro, no matter what happens it's just too late.(Well, maybe if they lose 4-0...)

Here's a question: any chance of bringing Paulo DiCanio on the team? He is one of the best players in England and he would be much better than the current option, my opinion.

And if Zoff does get fired soon will Vialli get offered the job? There was an article about him in a magazine which suggested Italy manager job was his destiny.

Hey Polish Power: Which role does di Canio play in England? Still right wing?
He was one of Italy's biggest talents, but he never lived up to in the Serie A.

Regarding Vialli: I hope that he'll get the job. He and Baresi are the most important symbols of Italian soccer and how it seems he is a pretty good coach.
He was a terrific forward, the best I ever had a chance to see (after Van Basten, that is).

I think Portugal can top Italy...
I think they can also win at EURO 2000

Italy have the 2nd most passionate fans in Europe, they should win, but no Vieri no go. If Zola is picked, the north of Italy moans, if Del Piero is picked, the south of Italy moans.

The games I saw DiCanio was playing the right forward, but he also scores goals from left side of the field. I like him because he has a very high level of energy, and he is not afraid to take the weight of responsibility for making plays on his shoulders. He also has great ball skills. Like someone said, every game he does some great plays. His drawbacks might be his very bad temper.

Italy

Here is the probable formation against Portugal that Gazzetta dello sport hand it out.
Strategy:4-4-2
------------Toldo------------
---Ferrara---Maldini----Cannavaro----Nesta
---Albertini--Totti---Zambrotta----D.Baggio
-------------Del Piero---Inzaghi

...... I,m getting the impression that you guys are waiting for me to make fun of Italy.
But I won't do it I have a lot of respect for Italy, but I think Portugal will win at the very least. Although if Italy won it wouldn't be a total shock.

It's just a friendly anyhow, the result won't hold much weight either way. I have a lot of respect for Italy aswell, they are one of the other few European countries that actually play attractive football like Portugal, France, Spain, Holland, and Romania. Not like that boot the ball in the air and chase it type football, like the crap Norway plays.

What Italy is missing are leadership,there are too many youngsters ,the only leaders Italy have are Maldini and slightly Ferrara.Back in 94,we had Baggio,Signori,Baresi,Costacurta,Massaro,Donadoni.
Today:Maldini and Ferara
Here are the players 25 years old and under and under(Zambrotta,Tacchinardi,Fiore,Gattuso,Toldo,Bu ffon,Nesta,Simone Inzaghi,Totti and I think Cannavaro is 25)

PAOLO ROSSI: STOP IT!

You talk way too much crap!
Your Under 25 list is stupid, get your facts straight. Toldo...yeah right...

And yes sure, Nesta plays left back and Albertini right midfield.

You make yourself look stupid - if there is a forum running on Ronaldo, you start on Vieri. If there is the slightest rumor that Juve sells or buys a guy - you report it as a fact.

CHILL DOWN!

With the weak scoring habit Portugal usually has, I'm afraid they won't score more than 2 goals, if any. And if Italy is having a bad time, maybe a score like 0-1 or 2-1 or a draw. Who wins depends on their concentration and confidence, and it seems that the Portuguese are better on that area - besides also having great players.
The important is that they practise their football well, so they can show-off in Euro 2000! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

oh my god.......rivaldo to Juventus....not........anyway, zambrotta, it doesnt matter if his under 25 list is slightly off, he still has the right idea..italy should stop using inexperienced young players this close to a major tounament and bring back the old group, especially in the midfield (bring back Albertini, even though i hate the bastard, bring in Conte......anyone with more experience) and if the forwards for Italy are gonna be Del Piero and Inzaghi, i would think that conte would be reselected considering they play together all the time