The Italians, who notched up a solid 2-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening Group G game, can qualify if they win and Mexico fail to beat Ecuador in the group's other match.

Croatia, who lost 1-0 to Mexico in their opening game, need a result to keep alive their hopes of making progress in South Korea and Japan.

Despite an impressive display in their first outing, Italy will alter their personnel and formation against the Croats, putting out one of the most potent attacks in the game.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has opted for an adventurous formation with the 'terrible trio' of Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi in attack.

Italy may be famed for their impressive defence, which has conceded just 10 goals in their last 20 World Cup finals games, but they now possess an attack which has equally impressive statistics.

Vieri, who scored both goals against Ecuador, has claimed seven goals in six games in the finals after notching five goals in five during the World Cup in France four years ago.

Inzaghi scored seven goals in seven appearances during the Italians' unbeaten qualification campaign.

"We have forwards that all the world envy and we have to exploit that opportunity to create problems for Croatia," said Trapattoni.

Behind the goal-a-game strike pairing will be Totti, no mean marksman himself but far more effective in the role he will reclaim today - threading through the passes for others.

"Totti is in very good shape and I prefer to take advantage of all his qualities," said Trapattoni.

Inzaghi missed the opening Group G victory over Ecuador due to a knee injury picked up in a friendly match against Kashima Antlers and Totti partnered Vieri in attack.

With the change, midfielder Cristiano Doni is expected to make way, with the versatile Christian Panucci moving to the left of midfield.

Croatia, semi-finalists four years ago, will draw strength from the fact that they are the only team in the group who have ever beaten the Italians - in a European Championship qualifier in Palermo in 1994.

Trapattoni also fears they may come out fighting as they seek to put the Mexico loss behind them.

"They are coming into the game on the back of a defeat and they will want to show us and their fans that they don't deserve to be out.

"It will be a delicate match. We are dealing with a team which is frustrated at their defeat and who are technically strong," said the Italy coach.

Croatia will be without suspended defender Boris Zivkovic, who was sent off against Mexico, which could enable experienced defender Dario Simic to win back his place in the side after recovering from a calf injury.

Croatia coach Mirko Jozic has axed midfielder Robert Prosinecki and striker Davor Suker from the starting line-up for today's game.

The big name pair, members of the side which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in France four years ago, were both substituted after poor showings in Croatia's 1-0 opening defeat to Mexico.

Jozic said he had a list of 14 players who were in contention for a starting place against the Italians and Prosinecki and Suker were not in the list.

But the Croatia coach said the duo could play some part in the match as substitutes.

"I didn't say that they will not play some part in the game," said Jozic. "They could play a part, it depends on the situation."

Probable teams...

Italy: Buffon, Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini, Zambrotta, Di Biagio, Tommasi, Panucci, Totti, Inzaghi, Vieri.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simic, R. Kovac, Simunic, Jarni, Tomas, Soldo, N. Kovac, Vugrinec, Rapaic, Boksic.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).

On TV: Live on TVM, RAI Uno at 11 a.m.