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The Azzurri showed they can win without Francesco Totti by crushing World Cup hosts Germany 4-1 in a friendly at the Stadio Franchi.
Marcello Lippi's pre-World Cup test took on an added importance following Francesco Totti's fractured ankle. It's possible he won't be fit in time for the tournament, so the Coach had to find a different system to work without him and adopted a trident attack with Alessandro Del Piero, Alberto Gilardino and local hero Luca Toni.
With Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso and Christian Vieri also injured, new entry Manuel Pasqual - a Fiorentina player - started from the bench on his maiden call. Gianluigi Buffon made his first Azzurri appearance since tearing shoulder ligaments in August. Ciro Ferrara also made his debut as assistant manager to Lippi.
Germany were Coached by ex-Inter star Jurgen Klinsmann and fielded former Milan flop Jens Lehmann in place of the injured Oliver Kahn in goal, while Nerazzurri transfer target Michael Ballack ran the midfield of the World Cup hosts and Chelsea's Robert Huth was in defence.
This was a high-risk game, as Italy hadn't played in Florence since 1993, when the home fans spent the entire game jeering the Azzurri and cheering on opponents Mexico. That feud with the Federation has carried on throughout the years and many Viola supporters threatened to put their voices behind Germany for this match. There was crowd trouble just before kick-off, as a group of drunk German fans tried to shoot flares into the Curva Fiesole.
The Azzurri debuted their new jersey that will take them into the World Cup and it took less than four minutes to break the deadlock. Del Piero's free kick was only parried by Lehmann at full stretch and Gilardino pounced on the loose ball from two yards.
It was a spectacular start from Italy, as they made it 2-0 moments later. Gilardino was again involved, springing the offside trap on Del Piero's through ball and he rolled across for the unmarked Toni to sidefoot home, much to the joy of the Fiorentina faithful.
Daniele De Rossi's weak clearance was captured by Ballack, whose fierce strike was charged down, while Buffon recovered after accidentally clattering into teammate Alessandro Nesta and Schneider drilled well over.
The Azzurri saw their confidence boosted by that remarkable opening, with Del Piero and Mauro Camoranesi delighting the fans with backheels and tricky footwork.
Buffon smothered a shot from Huth, but his first real save was on 24 minutes when Ballack's run was charged down and the goalkeeper eventually flew to palm away Sebastien Deisler's effort.
Andrea Pirlo's pass allowed Gilardino to again leave the German defence standing, but his chip was off target when it might've been better to go for a powerful finish.
Torsten Frings was booked for a clumsy tackle on Del Piero, then another Pirlo through ball threatened to find Camoranesi totally unmarked from seven yards, but Lehmann rushed off his line to intercept.
Huth required a well-timed challenge to prevent Toni scoring on Del Piero's counter-attack. From the resulting corner kick, Camoranesi held up Fabio Grosso's long ball for Daniele De Rossi's downward header from six yards. It was the Roma youngster's third goal in a senior Azzurri jersey.
Ballack had another effort charged down by some close Nesta marking, while Toni couldn't get on the end of a Grosso cross.
Germany were more aggressive after the break with a Schneider volley over the bar, but it was Italy who made it 4-0 with another well-worked team move.
Gilardino's sweeping cross was nodded back into the area from the byline by Camoranesi for Del Piero's brave diving header. It was the Juve captain's first goal in an Azzurri jersey since the winner against Moldova on September 8, 2004.
Italy hadn't scored four goals against Germany since the legendary 4-3 victory in the 1970 World Cup semi-final in Mexico.
Roma star Simone Perrotta, who has played a major part in the Giallorossi's record 11 consecutive Serie A victories, replaced Gilardino for the final 25 minutes to change the tactical system with Del Piero in a more advanced role.
Ballack's free kick was off target, but Buffon had to perform a fantastic reaction save to prevent Luca Toni scoring an own goal on a Deisler free kick.
Italy nearly grabbed a fifth, as Camoranesi sprinted into the area and was only crowded out by a combination of Lehmann and Huth's sliding challenges.
Del Piero and Camoranesi had shots charged down in quick succession, but the goalscorer and a tired Nesta made way for Vincenzo Iaquinta and Marco Materazzi.
Germany managed to get a goal back to make the scoreline a little less embarrassing in the final minutes, as a corner kick found Chelsea defender Huth's half-volley from seven yards.
Fiorentina's 23-year-old wide man Manuel Pasqual made his international debut for the last couple of minutes, stepping in for Camoranesi.
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