World Cup 2006

EFE

Andriy Shevchenko

Of course, all that will be coldly cast aside when Ukraine meets Italy in the quarterfinals Friday in Hamburg.

"The Italy squad is packed with talented players, many of whom are my former teammates who I'll now have to play against," said Shevchenko, who played for AC Milan. "I spent seven wonderful years there and I owe that country a lot, but now I have to play against them in the most important soccer match in Ukraine's history."

Shevchenko will see five former teammates Friday: Milan midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, and forward Alberto Gilardino. Forward Filippo Inzaghi will likely be on the bench and, luckily for Shevchenko, he won't have to dodge defender Alessandro Nesta, who is out with a thigh injury.

Shevchenko will also renew acquaintances with many of those he played against since 2000, when he joined Milan. He's just as familiar with the tactics of the former rivals he faced from Juventus, Inter Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina.

Just before the World Cup, the 29-year-old Ukrainian signed with English Premier League champion Chelsea. At Milan, Shevchenko won the Champions League, the Italian league and the Italian Cup.

Though he said he made the move for family reasons, it came at an auspicious time, while the latest match-fixing scandal, involving top Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, engulfed Italy.

Investigators claim former officials of Juventus created a widespread system of corruption that ranged from referee assignments to getting players booked. Several key figures in Italian soccer went on trial Thursday before a sports tribunal, which could result in being dropped to a lower division for the four clubs.

A verdict is expected by July 9, the day of the World Cup final.

No players were charged, but 13 of Italy's 23-man World Cup squad play for clubs involved. Many of those here could find themselves playing in Serie B next season.

Italy was further shaken Tuesday when former international Gianluca Pessotto fell from a building at Juventus' headquarters, reportedly clutching rosary beads. He was hospitalized in serious condition.

The 35-year-old was recently appointed team manager of Juventus after the club's entire board resigned last month amid the scandal.

Five members of Italy's team play for Juventus. Some, including Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta and assistant coach Ciro Ferrara, temporarily left the World Cup to visit Pessotto.

But Shevchenko is confident Italy's players will rise above the chaos.

"It might influence the players before and after the game, but during the game players are only thinking about the match, players are only focused on football," Shevchenko said. "I know the Italian team very well and I know that whatever state they are in, they play to win."

In the meantime, Shevchenko is busy drilling his Ukrainian teammates on what to expect.

"All the Italian players know me, but I know each and every one of these players on their team," he said. "They are a solid team with strong characters and good players.

"The key to Ukraine's success over Italy will be teamwork and serious, solid defense. We will need to play with enough heart to make up for any technical shortcomings. After all, it is Italy we are playing for a place in the semifinals."