ROME. June 5: The Italian squad leaves for the World Cup this week with the jeers from fans ringing in their ears after a laboured victory over fellow finalists Switzerland on Friday night, reports Reuter.

The 1-0 win. courtesy of a disputed Giuseppe Signori goal, showed the three-times world champions are still struggling for form less than two weeks before their opening Group E clash with Ireland In New York on June 18.

Sacchi has modified his trusted 4-4-2 formation to a more adventurous 4-3-3 In order to allow Lazio striker

Signori to play as an attacker rather than out of position in midfield.

The top scorer in Italian league soccer In each of the past two seasons. Signori has responded with two goals in two games but the move seems to have upset the balance of the side.

Internazionale midfielder Nicola Berti played on the right of attack againsi the Swiss but looked hopelessly lost.

AC Milan's European Cup hero Daniele Massaro came on for the second 45 minutes against the Swiss as a replacement for Signori and looked very sharp.

Salvatore .Toto Schillaci.

Italy s top scorer at the last World Cup. said Massaro must be given a place.

He seems to be blessed Ev ery time he touches the ball it goes in. Like Paolo Rossi and me. this is his moment, said Schillaci, who now plays for Jubilo Iwata in Japan.

The most surprising feature of the game was the number of times the normally solid Italian defence was punctured, only poor finishing and some Tine saves from goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca kept Italy afloat.

Sacchi is planning to field AC Milan's back four as his de fensive until in the opening World Cup ties in a group which besides the Irish also features Norway and Mexico.