Italy enters on a 22-game unbeaten run that stretches back to October, 2004.

The Azzurri are not at full strength though.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi will serve the third game in a four-match ban for an elbow to the face of U.S. forward Brian McBride.

Defender Alessandro Nesta is out with a right thigh injury, and Nesta's replacement Marco Materazzi is suspended.

That leaves inexperienced Andrea Barzagli to join captain Fabio Cannavaro in central defense with the job of containing Shevchenko.

"I've encountered him a few times in Serie A and I think he scored on me a few times," said Barzagli, who has played for Chievo Verona and Palermo in Serie A.

Shevchenko played seven seasons for AC Milan before transferring to Chelsea a month ago.

After coming on in the second half against Australia, Totti is expected to return to the starting lineup in his usual playmaker position behind strikers Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino.

Italy's six goals so far have been scored by six different players and the team is anxiously awaiting for Gilardino and especially Toni, who is yet to score, to hit form.

In the meantime, Italy has relied on its defense.

"There are times when our strikers stand out, if you think back to the 4-1 win over Germany," Nesta said of the friendly in March. "Right now, our defense is really in form."

Lippi was unhappy with substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta's performance against Australia, meaning Filippo Inzaghi _ Shevchenko's former strike partner at Milan _ could be the first forward off Italy's bench, as most Italian fans desire.