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Cape Town - Daniele De Rossi believes Friday's Group D clash against Costa
Rica will be Italy's "most dangerous game" in the first round of this
year's World Cup.
Both the Azzurri and Ticos recorded victories in their respective World Cup openers last week, with the former seeing off England 2-1 while the latter shocked Uruguay 3-1.
The sides will now face each other looking for sole ownership at the top of the Group D, and although very aware of the Costa Ricans' attacking intent, Roma star De Rossi believes there will also be plenty other factors adding to the difficulty of the task, none less so than the searing temperatures expected in Recife this week.
"You have to face them prepared to play to the death because everyone would have predicted a victory for Uruguay," said Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
"We played there [in Recife] last year in the Confederations Cup against Japan and we suffered from the heat as well as Japan's speed.
"The game against Costa Rica is seen as the most dangerous game, because we play at 1pm local time and it will be really difficult."
He continued: "Can we beat Costa Rica? There is no longer a World Cup as it once was, like in Italia 90 when games ended 8-0. Teams are organised, with strong players, and you cannot afford to think Italy will beat Costa Rica just because we are called Italy."
Both the Azzurri and Ticos recorded victories in their respective World Cup openers last week, with the former seeing off England 2-1 while the latter shocked Uruguay 3-1.
The sides will now face each other looking for sole ownership at the top of the Group D, and although very aware of the Costa Ricans' attacking intent, Roma star De Rossi believes there will also be plenty other factors adding to the difficulty of the task, none less so than the searing temperatures expected in Recife this week.
"You have to face them prepared to play to the death because everyone would have predicted a victory for Uruguay," said Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
"We played there [in Recife] last year in the Confederations Cup against Japan and we suffered from the heat as well as Japan's speed.
"The game against Costa Rica is seen as the most dangerous game, because we play at 1pm local time and it will be really difficult."
He continued: "Can we beat Costa Rica? There is no longer a World Cup as it once was, like in Italia 90 when games ended 8-0. Teams are organised, with strong players, and you cannot afford to think Italy will beat Costa Rica just because we are called Italy."
