THE meeting of the European superpowers Germany and Italy at Old Trafford tonight had all the makings of a lazy public park kickaround before the tournament began. Now, thanks to Arrigo Saachi playing God against the Czechs, it's an epic in the making.

Suddenly the Italians are precariously placed and Sacchi in danger of becoming the devil incarnate to many of his 57 million compatriots back home. It should never have come to this but, remembering how he skilfully employed all his 22 squad members in their tortuous run to the final of USA 94, Sacchi showed he could not resist the temptation to tamper again.

Five changes in personnel, a goal down after four minutes, self destructively a man down after 27 minutes, they couldn't have lost to a moderate Czech side had they tried harder.

Now the Italians have to better whatever the Czechs achieve against a demoralised Russian side in Anfield. Should the sides finish level on points, the Czechs would qualify because of their victory in the sides' meeting. Thus, a point for the Czechs tonight, and Italy would have to risk everything to beat Germany.

Forcing the game against such strong opposition is not essentially the Italian style under Sacchi. The manner of their brilliant opening win against the Russians, achieving 11 shots on target to the Russians' one despite having less of the ball was based on presenting a pressing, defensive web from inside the opposition half and striking quickly when they won the ball.

Not surprisingly, Sacchi has restored the pocket genius Gianfranco Zola - now, ironically, at 29 the potential saviour of the Italians after years in the shadows of other number 10s such as Roberto Baggio and Roberto Mancini. Alongside will be Pierluigi Casiraghi, ironically also regarded as a potential saviour after continuous criticism of his selection.

That it should come to this is not surprising really. The Italians seemingly have to flirt with disaster to bring out the best in themselves. Even in their World Cup winning year of 1982 they squeezed through after drawing their three first round games against Cameroon, Peru and Poland.

Somehow, it is assumed that they will squeeze through again. There is even a scenario whereby they could lose to Germany and qualify, but only if the Russians beat the Czechs by 1-0 and no more. In that scenario a 2-1 win or better for the Russians would see them qualify, having been erroneously excluded from Group C's complex equation by some - this writer included.

Indeed, any of the four can still theoretically qualify, though the odds are heavily stacked in favour of Germany and, to a lesser extent, the Czechs.

Realistically, the Italians may have to win to avoid an ignominious exit. "I expect the Germans to be as history has always presented them - very strong characters and strong willed - and I don't think we can expect any favours whatsoever," said Sacchi.

"But I believe if we continue to play as well as we have done in the opening games then it's only fair that Italy qualifies for the next round."

Sacchi insists he is not worried about his future but conceded: "Of course we are all tense. We have great respect for Germany, but this tension should be translated into a positive energy."

German manager Berti Vogts said the respect was mutual and spoke highly of his opposite number.

"Sacchi is a real expert and one of the great tacticians at these championships. Even when they were playing with 10 men against the Czechs they were able to push forward their plan," he said.

Vogts must decide whether to retain Italy based Oliver Bierhoff alongside skipper Juergen Klinsmann in attack and also who replaces suspended defender Markus Babbel. Babbel is understudy for Juergen Kohler who ruptured knee ligaments in the opening game.

Stefan Freund appears to be favoured but Vogts will keep his thoughts under wraps - unlike Sacchi who has shown his hand.

He includes only one of the five Juventus players who helped win the European Champions' Cup goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi. Sacchi said: "I hope they will be more useful to my team later. The players I have chosen are the most physically fit."

Armedeo Carboni drops into defence in place of suspended Luigi Apolloni, raising the mouth watering prospect of Paolo Maldini marking Klinsmann. Alessandro Del Piero is among those overlooked.

In this too, Sacchi is playing a dangerous game, for Juventus are liable to be one of the prime movers in a move to oust Sacchi's main ally, Italian FA president Antonio Mattarese, next August. Walking a tightrope then. Nothing changes. This will be interesting.