Notoriously slow starters, Italy will feature all three of their big name forwards, Christian Vieri, Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti, in the Group C game.

Supported by Argentine-born Mauro Camoranesi, the Italian forwards could give the Danes a torrid time if they are true to their attacking promise after a disappointing 2002 World Cup.

"We're in better physical shape generally than we were in Japan (and South Korea) and there have also been some important changes in certain roles," Trapattoni said as he named his team for the match at the Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes.

"I have been really impressed by the conviction of the players. They won't give up and they really want to win."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen is under no illusions about who are favourites but he feels his team are as ready as they will ever be for the challenge.

"Italy have made themselves favourites and we have no problem with that, they have a great team and world class individuals," Olsen said.

PLAYERS READY

Having had to prepare a team without winger Jesper Gronkjaer and midfielder Thomas Gravesen, he added: "All the players are ready and we can pick the team we want.

"We knew before that we would not have Gravesen and we will try to show that we can win without him."

Gravesen is suspended, while Gronkjaer is still in Denmark following the sudden death of his mother on Thursday.

Daniel Jensen looks set to step into the midfield holding role normally filled by Gravesen while Dennis Rommedahl is likely to fill Gronkjaer's position on the right flank.

Danish central defender Martin Laursen underlined the threat posed by Italy target man Vieri saying: "He's a great attacker who has always scored and we must be extremely careful and mark him well."

Vieri has scored 23 goals in 39 games since 1997 for Italy, who are looking to go one better after finishing runners-up to France at Euro 2000.

Denmark also have a prolific scorer in Italy-based striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has netted 28 goals in 60 internationals and should test the post-Paolo Maldini central defensive partnership of Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta.

Teams:

Denmark (probable) (4-2-3-1): 1-Thomas Sorensen; 6-Thomas Helveg, 4-Martin Laursen, 3-Rene Henriksen, 5-Niclas Jensen; 17-Christian Poulsen, 15-Daniel Jensen; 19-Dennis Rommedahl, 9-Jon Dahl Tomasson, 10-Martin Joergensen; 11-Ebbe Sand.

Italy (4-2-3-1): 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 2-Christian Panucci, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 13-Alessandro Nesta, 19-Gianluca Zambrotta; 4-Cristiano Zanetti, 20-Simone Perrotta; 16-Mauro Camoranesi, 10-Francesco Totti, 7-Alessandro Del Piero; 9-Christian Vieri.

Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto (Spain)

Linesmen: Oscar David Martinez (Spain), Rafael Guerrero Alonso (Spain)