Italians confess to ignorance about US team

DUISBURG, Germany, June 15 (Reuters) Italy face the United States in World Cup Group E on Saturday but Marcello Lippi's players admit they have little clue about who they will be up against.

Of three Italian players asked what they knew about the American team, only midfielder Andrea Pirlo was able to name a single member of the US squad.

''There is (Claudio) Reyna, who plays in Europe and then there is the other lad from PSV Eindhoven,'' said Pirlo, referring to midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.

''I don't known much about the players who don't play in Europe but we will watch some videos,'' added the Italy midfielder who scored the opening goal in Monday's 2-0 win over Ghana.

Striker Vincenzo Iaquinta, scorer of Italy's second against the Africans, knows even less about Bruce Arena's American side.

''I know very little about them, I know they have some players in Europe. Certainly they are a good side. We will be talking about them with the coach and watching the videos,'' said the forward.

Striker Alberto Gilardino said the US team had not been a matter of discussion among the Italian squad.

''We haven't talked about them yet. This afternoon (Thursday) we will watch some videos. I know they like to play the ball around but we have two days to weigh them up,'' he said.

The US lost their opening group game 3-0 to the Czech Republic.

REUTERS AY BD2029