Italy and the Netherlands (Holland) go into the encounter at the Adriatico Stadium in Pescara on the back of first-place finishes in their World Cup qualifying groups.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has stated that a victory in this friendly match would serve as a perfect launch pad for his team’s preparation campaign ahead of South Africa next summer.

This game could even prove to be a good omen for the Azzurri, as they destroyed the Dutchmen in a friendly just before World Cup 2006.

After facing the Netherlands, Italy hosts Sweden four days later in Cesena, then will have one more friendly in March against a team to be determined, most probably from Africa.

The match kicks-off at 20:45 CET.

UPDATE: The Italians were held to a 0-0 draw by the Oranje in Saturday’s international friendly.