Italy vs. Costa Rica: Preview

Don't underestimate Costa Rica.

It's the message that has been preached by both Italian manager Cesare Prandelli and his players ad nauseam in the buildup to today's vital Group D contest.

Do they make good on that advice today?

Costa Rica, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their upset win over Uruguay, and in the process become the first CONCACAF team other than Mexico or the United States to win consecutive matches at the World Cup.

A victory (or draw) for Los Ticos would also make way for plenty of despair in England, as anything other than an Italy victory today will see the Three Lions eliminated from the competition.

The Details

Teams: Italy vs. Costa Rica

Time: 12 PM EST

Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Television: ESPN (U.S.), CBC (Canada)

Injury Report

The Azzurri are slowly getting healthy after a rash of injuries.

Reports suggest both Andrea Barzagli (undisclosed) and Gianluigi Buffon (ankle) will be in the starting lineup today in Recife, with the former seeming all but assured of a place in favor of Leonardo Bonucci.

That said, with Mattia De Sciglio expected to miss his second consecutive match, Prandelli will still have to wait before being able to select his ideal side.

Jorge Luis Pinto, on the other hand, has no new injury concerns heading into the contest, and will likely roll out the same starting lineup that picked up all three points against Uruguay. Why wouldn't he?

Historic Head-To-Head

The two sides have met just once before, with Italy claiming a 1-0 victory in a friendly match ten years ago. Roberto Baggio set up Giuseppe Signori for the only goal in what was described as an "uninspiring" win for Italy.

3 Things To Watch

Joel Campbell vs. Daniele De Rossi

The Arsenal youngster was the star of the show in Costa Rica's comeback win over Uruguay, scoring once and using his pace to get between the midfield and defensive lines, which caused havoc for the South American side.

Against the Italians, Campbell will once again be tasked with carrying the attack, and it will likely be the job of Daniele De Rossi to slow him down. The Roma midfielder will sit in front of the two center-backs, and that should eliminate the open space that Campbell thrived on against Uruguay.

That said, if he is able to break free at any point, his speed could be a big problem for Italy, who struggled to contain the likes of Raheem Sterling on the break against England. Even without the statuesque Gabriel Paletta on the pitch, the Italian defense can be undone by the speed of Campbell.

How will Costa Rica approach Andrea Pirlo?

Roy Hodgson decided against man-marking Pirlo, instead allowing the midfield maestro to drop deep unabated and initiate the Italian attack. 103 successful passes later, it was clear that strategy failed miserably.

It seems unlikely that Costa Rica, after seeing that performance, will opt for the same approach. The question then becomes a simple one: who gets the job? 

With Pirlo dropping so deep to pick up the ball, any pressure needs to begin with the attackers, meaning the task could fall to Bryan Ruiz, who is expected to play behind Joel Campbell up front.

With Thiago Motta expected to get the start ahead of Marco Verratti, Italy lose a significant attacking element, meaning that if Costa Rica can indeed contain Pirlo, Verratti won't be there (at least early on) to assume the creative reins.

Antonio Candreva and Matteo Darmian on opposite sides

With AC Milan fullback Ignazio Abate expected to be given the start on the right side of the back four today, Matteo Darmian - who was so impressive against England - will be asked to switch over to the opposite flank.

While the move allows Giorgio Chiellini to shift back into his preferred (and best) position in the heart of the defense, it will also break up what looked to be a burgeoning partnership between Darmian and Antonio Candreva down the Italian right wing.

The duo were dominant against England in their opening match, pinning Leighton Baines deep and combining to create Mario Balotelli's winning goal. 

Will Abate be able to forge a similar partnership with the Lazio winger?