Italy vs. Japan: 5 Players to Watch in Confederations Cup Clash

Italy and Japan got their Confederations Cup campaign's underway at the weekend, with very different outcomes.

Alberto Zaccheroni's Asian champions took on the host Brazil in Saturday's opening game, and despite showing some signs of their technical prowess, were soundly beaten by Luiz Felipe Scolari's men. The Japanese never really recovered from Neymar's early goal, and with the Selecao very much in control, Japan eventually succumbed to a 3-0 defeat.

Italy kicked off with a tough match against Mexico and earned a deserved 2-1 victory. Andrea Pirlo's free-kick gave them a lead, but was quickly cancelled out by a Javier Hernandez penalty in a thrilling, end-to-end first period. The Azzurri very much dominated the second, however, and were rewarded for their dominance with Mario Balotelli's 78th minute winner.

The two sides will now do battle on Wednesday evening (11 p.m. BST, 5 p.m. ET) with the Italians knowing that a win will all but secure their place in the knockout stages, whilst the blue samurai have no margin for error if they wish to advance.

With all that having been said, here's a look at five players to keep an eye on come Wednesday night.

Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

The Italian playmaker was at his most majestic against Mexico, a wonderful performance turning him into something of a Maracana darling, such were the cheers and applause whenever he ran over to take a set piece.

Even setting his tremendous first half free-kick aside, the Juventus midfielder dictated proceedings from first to last, always available to receive possession, and his individual magnificence was fully showcased by his fabulous passing range.

To put it bluntly, on his 100th international cap Pirlo was a class apart. You could count the number of misplaced passes on one hand, and the 34-year-old will look to give another midfield masterclass in Recife on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, with Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda both looking to occupy a similar area of the field, he may have to work harder against Japan, both defensively and in finding space from which to start Italy's attacking forays.

Shinji Kagawa (Japan)

The impish Manchester United schemer tried to get things going against Brazil, but in the end, he couldn't provide the spark that a rather limp Japanese attack was looking for.

The most subtle and creative of Zaccheroni's forward threats, Kagawa's station on the left of an attacking triumvirate behind a solo striker may not be his ideal (it certainly isn't that of former manager Jurgen Klopp). But with license to roam and to link up with, in particular, Keisuke Honda, the fleet-footed Kagawa has the craft to give Japan a threat which could test the Italians defence.

A Premier League winner in 2012-13, the 24-year-old's ability to dribble through midfield and transition from defence to attack quickly will be key if they're to pull off a necessary good result against the Azzurri.

Additionally, his link-up play with the attacking full-back Yuri Nagatomo down the blue samurai's left must provide an outlet against Ignazio Abate. If they can double-team effectively, then Japan may garner some joy and could pull off a surprise.

Andrea Barzagli (Italy)

For much of the match with Mexico, Italy's defence looked rather comfortable, all except centre-back Andrea Barzagli, who looked extremely nervy throughout the 90 minutes.

Indeed the 32-year-old was lucky to remain on the pitch, escaping with just a yellow card in the 33rd minute for fouling Giovani Dos Santos when the Mexican appeared to have been presented—by a horrendous Barzagli mistake—with a goalscoring opportunity. Although the penalty was given and Javier Hernandez scored, Chilean referee Enrique Osses was perhaps too lenient with the Azzurri defender.

The skill and pace of Giovani, allied to the stealthy movement of Hernandez, gave Barzagli much to think about, and he didn't appear to enjoy being dragged into wide areas; something which he is used to, given he regularly plays in a back-three at club level.

Cesare Prandelli will hope that Barzagli is back to his usual composed self against Japan. But with more tricky, nimble attacking types like Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki likely to be in direct combat with the Juventus defender, it could prove another difficult night.

Atsuto Uchida (Japan)

The 25-year-old right-back came out of the defeat with Brazil with his own reputation perhaps even enhanced despite Japan's defeat.

A regular for Schalke in the Bundesliga as they secured a fourth-place finish on the final day of the season, Uchida found himself in competition against each of Neymar, Hulk and Oscar at various points of Saturday's match. But no matter the opponent, the energetic defender gave a good account of himself, proving tigerish in the tackle.

Additionally, Uchida played his part when Japan went forward, always looking to offer width on the right. Although he was never able to really make tracks into the final third—more so due to the breaking down of moves than through any fault of his own—he was tidy in possession and never shied away from taking the ball, even when under pressure.

With the Japanese meeting Italy needing to avoid defeat, Uchida will need to be at his most stout defensively. But with the Asian side realistically needing to win if they hope to progress, expect to see Uchida given more attacking license. He should be afforded plenty of space if Italy line up in similar narrow fashion as they did in their opening match.

The battle between Uchida and Italy's young left-back Mattia De Sciglio, with both likely to have the run of their particular flanks, could well play a key role in deciding the outcome of the match.

Claudio Marchisio (Italy)

There has long been questions asked of Claudio Marchisio as to why he is all too often unable to replicate his club form on the international stage. Those questions won't have gone away with his performance against Mexico.

Largely anonymous throughout, Marchisio eventually got the hook in the 68th minute when he was replaced by Torino's Alessio Cerci. Once again, the 27-year-old had been unable to make his mark in an Azzurri shirt.

Whilst club colleague Emanuelle Giaccherini, playing in an identical role—in what was effectively a 4-3-2-1 formation—was busy and offered plenty of movement, Marchisio had been grossly underwhelming.

Now, a box-to-box midfielder who offers a genuine goal threat at club level, has just a solitary strike in his last 20 international appearances. For all Marchisio's undoubted talent and the comparisons with the legendary Marco Tardelli, there is only so long that Prandelli can continue to placate the Juventus man.

It's fair to say, he needs a big performance in Recife.