Football
Associated Press 18y

Italy and Germany moving in opposite directions

FLORENCE, Italy -- Italy is climbing the list of World Cup
favorites, while Germany is moving in the opposite direction.

Italy routed Germany 4-1 in a friendly Wednesday, its second win
over a European power in three games, and improved its unbeaten
streak to 16 matches. The Italians also beat the Netherlands 3-1 in
November.

"After the win in the Netherlands, we said we would have liked
it if the World Cup began right away. Three months later, we have
the same energy," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "Games like
these help convince us that we're strong and not inferior to
anyone."

Italy played without star playmaker Francesco Totti and went
with a three-forward lineup instead. All three forwards -- Alberto
Gilardino, Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero -- scored. Midfielder
Daniele De Rossi, Totti's AS Roma teammate, also scored.

Toni and Gilardino scored in the first seven minutes, De Rossi
in the 39th and Del Piero in the 57th.

Robert Huth notched Germany's lone goal in the 82nd.

"Italy gave us a lesson. When they scored two goals in the
first (7) minutes, we didn't know how to respond," Germany coach
Juergen Klinsmann said. "We made too many errors and weren't able
to put Italy in danger. My compliments to Lippi and Italy."

Klinsmann has already come under heavy criticism for directing
the team from afar from his home in California and promoting a
youthful roster. Now he's in for much more.

The last time Italy scored four goals against Germany was its
4-3 win in the 1970 World Cup semifinals. That game went to extra
time and was a back-and-forth affair. Wednesday's match was
completely one-sided.

Still, Klinsmann refused to call the loss the worst of his
career.

"It's not pleasant, but days like this happen in sport and
football, days when things go the wrong direction and today they
went in totally the wrong direction," Klinsmann said. "Our spirit
is down, but it's better this happens 100 days from the World Cup
than at the World Cup."

The World Cup begins June 9 and Totti is out for up to three
months following ankle surgery. Doctors say he should recover in
time for the tournament. If he doesn't, Del Piero, Toni and
Gilardino appear as though they can handle the attack without him.

"Tonight we showed we can play with three strikers," Lippi
said.

Germany's youthful side looked slow and methodical compared to
Italy, which utilized precise free kicks and frequent
counterattacks.

Del Piero's free kick in the fourth minute set up the first
goal, with Gilardino converting a rebound off Fabio Cannavaro's
header.

Three minutes later, Gilardino carried the ball upfield on a
counterattack and passed to Toni, who converted into an empty net.

The crowd was still celebrating when De Rossi headed in Italy's
third goal.

Germany's only decent shot in the first half was a mid-range
effort by Werder Bremen forward Miroslav Klose that goalkeeper
Gianluigi Buffon blocked in the 24th.

Germany had another chance in the 56th minute, but Bernd
Schneider's long shot skimmed just over the crossbar and, a minute
later, Del Piero crouched down to head in a pass from Mauro
Camoranesi to make it 4-0.

Huth scored off a corner amid a crowd of players inside the
area.

Italy has not lost since falling 1-0 to Slovenia in a World Cup
qualifier in October 2004.

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