Upbeat Aussies expect respect from Italy

DUISBURG, Germany, June 25 (Reuters) Australia defender Lucas Neill believes there will be no way of surprising Italy in their second round tie in Kaiserslautern tomorrow.

Italy have never played Australia and at the start of the tournament expected to meet Croatia in the last 16 but Neill says the Azzurri will now know exactly what they are up against.

''I think we've let that card out of the bag in the last three games. We will respect Italy, we won't fear them, and I'm sure they'll do the same because they'll have to respect us,'' said the defender.

''This is the World Cup and anything's possible so we'll be going out there with no fear,'' said the Blackburn Rovers player.

But Neill has no illusions about the status gap between the two teams.

''Italy have won three World Cups and starred in many tournaments and their reputations are massive so it's a real David and Goliath situation,'' he said.

The Italians booked their place in the knockout stage with an efficient 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic but Neill says it is unlikely that the Azzurri will be able to impose their preferred approach on the game.

''They're a ruthless team. They're used to going out, getting a goal and protecting it but I can't see it being a 1-0 against Australia. It's going to be a fantastic game.

''We've taken on the biggest team (Brazil) and given them a good run for their money and made people look at us. I don't consider Italy a lesser team than Brazil but why should we fear them? We've got as many strengths as they do now,'' he said.

While Italy secured qualification in a relatively straightforward manner, Marcello Lippi's side have yet to truly shine largely due to the subdued form of their main creative force Francesco Totti.

Totti is not 100 percent fit having come back from a three-month lay-off with a broken ankle just before the finals but Lippi has placed his faith in the Roma player for every game so far and the players have backed his choice.

''He is not a luxury for the side -- in the role that he occupies there isn't anyone else who can make an impact the way that he does,'' said midfielder Simone Perrotta.

The Italy coach has alternated his side for all his games and against the Czechs opted for an unusual formation with Alberto Gilardino left on his own in attack with Totti and Mauro Camoranesi supporting from advanced midfield roles.

Central defender Alessandro Nesta is ruled out after his groin muscle injury flared up again during Thursday's win over the Czechs -- Marco Materazzi, who headed in the opener after replacing Nesta, is likely to stand in alongside captain Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence.

Probable teams: Italy (4-4-1-1): 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 23-Marco Materazzi, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 3-Fabio Grosso; 20-Simone Perrotta, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 16-Mauro Camoranesi; 10-Francesco Totti; 11-Alberto Gilardino Coach: Marcello Lippi Australia (4-5-1): 1-Mark Schwarzer; 23-Marco Bresciano, 2-Lucas Neill, 3-Craig Moore, 14-Scott Chipperfield; 13-Vince Grella, 5-Jason Culina, 4-Tim Cahill, 21-Mile Sterjovski, 10-Harry Kewell; 9-Mark Viduka.

Coach: Guus Hiddink Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain) Reuters PM DB0937