Italy vs. Brazil, 2013 Confederations Cup: Preview and TV schedule
The top spot in Group A is up for grabs on Saturday. Both Italy and Brazil will want to win in order to avoid a date with Spain in the semifinal.
Brazil currently has a three-goal lead in goal differential, so only a win will do for Italy. Brazil is hardly the type of team to sit back and play a conservative game, however, so there should be plenty of space for it to attack into. Whether or not it can get the ball, then beat Brazil’s formidable central defenders is a completely different matter.
Andrea Pirlo will sit this game out with an injury, while Daniele De Rossi is suspended for yellow card accumulation. Alberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo should both start in their absence. Who Cesare Prandelli starts in the two attacking midfield spots is anyone's guess, and many fans will be hoping to see AC Milan youngster Stephan El Shaarawy get his first start of the competition. Brazil is expected to rest Paulinho in midfield and play Hernanes in his place.
Match date/time: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
TV: ESPN (U.S. - English), UniMas (U.S. - Spanish), BBC Three (U.K.), TLN (Canada)
