Group B is finely balanced after both opening games ended in draws and Italy and Cameroon's deliberations must now centre on the business of tightening their defences.
The Italians travelled south from their base in Senlis yesterday entangled in a growing domestic controversy over the status of Alessandro del Piero. Injury almost deprived del Piero of a ticket to France but, having recovered, he is still unlikely to be picked for today's game.
Cesare Maldini is stoically unimpressed by the home clamour for del Piero and when told that the Italian prime minister had expressed a desire to see the Juventus player in action, he replied acidly: "I understand he is a supporter of sport and knows quite a lot about cycling." Vieri and Baggio are expected to continue up front. Of more immediate concern to Maldini is the mending which needs to be done on a defence which conceded two goals against Chile. Maldini blamed slack marking for the second goal in particular and he is toying with the idea of introducing Giuseppe Bergomi for tonight's game.
Sweeper Costacurta, who suffered a knock in that game, has recovered and has been taking full part in training sessions since Sunday. However, he is still under considerable pressure from Bergomi who played the last time these sides met in the World Cup back in 1982. Cameroon were reasonably happy with their lot in the opening game despite a drastic lapse in concentration which let Toni Polster in for a late Austrian equaliser. They are based in Beziers just outside Montpellier and this evening's match has aspects of a home tie about it. Manager Claude De Roy is keeping the cards close to his chest regarding team selections but is likely to name an unchanged side.
Italy (probable:) Pagliuca, Costacurta, Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini (capt), D Baggio, Albertini, Di Biagio, Moriero, R Baggio, Vieri.
Referee: M Lennie (Aus)
Key Player
Francois Omam-Biyik Age: 33. Caps: 78. Goals: 48. Club: Sampdoria.
The first African to play in three World Cups, he is his country's top scorer.
When Omam-Biyik says that he'll go home a winner, no matter what happens in France, it is hard to argue. He played in just one of his country's qualifying games (against Tongo) and started last season playing in the Mexican .
Lecce took an interest but his deal with the Italian club didn't work out and he was resigned to life in Mexico. Then Sampdoria called where he finished the season as a regular springer from the bench.
Looking to bolster a young team le Roy, who managed Cameroon to their 1988 Nations Cup win, recalled the man who scored the winner in the 1990 World Cup opener against Argentina.
Oman-Biyik played 85 minutes against Austria. He has the wile and he has the experience.
Strengths: Biyik's strength is in the muscle, the extraordinary ability to jostle and make sufficient room for himself to do the necessary business.
Weaknesses: Low points are the days when the early going is tough and the heart sinks quickly. These times the head is willing but the legs are a little weak.
