MELBOURNE, \ustralia. Sept 8 (AFP): Marco Tar-delli. the coach of a talented Italian squad that is one of the favourites for Olympic lootball gold, is confident his young lions are ready to step into an intimidating' Olympic arena here next week.

The Italians' clash with hosts Australia is the pick of the four matches which will kick off the football tournament on Thursday, two days before the Games' officially open.

Tournament director Peter Hugg said Friday he expected a 90,000 sellout crowd to pack into Melbourne Cricket Ground for the match.

Tardelli's men will be able to count on some support from Melbourne's large Italian community. But after months of Olympic hype, the atmosphere is still certain to be fiercely partisan under the lights of the giant MCG stadium.

"I have never played in or coached a team in front of such a big crowd." admits the Italian coadn

For many of his players, most of whom have played the bulk of their football Tn the lesser glare of Serie B. Italy's Second Division, the experience will be unlike anything they have ever encountered.

But Tardelli refuses to admit to any nerves about how his proteges will react.

"They are lucky to be in such a situation." he says. They are so proud to be here. I know they will give full commitment."

With defending champions Nigeria weakened by the withdrawal of a number of top players. including African player of“ the year Nwankwo Kanu’ Tar-, delll believes the Australians* could provide the toughest opposition In group A. which also Includes Honduras.

But he has no qualms about facing the hosts in the first match.

"It could be good to have a hard match to begin with." he said. "It helps players to concentrate knowing that Australia are a strong team. They won't relax as they might against a weaker team."

As a player, Tardelli provided

the midfield steel in the Italy team that lifted the 1982 World Cup.

He took over the national under-21 squad at the end of 1997 and coached them to victon in this year's European championships in Slovakia.

For the Olympic campaign. Tardelli has stuck to the same group of players, foregoing the option of calling on the likes of Roberto Baggio as one of the three over-23 players allowed -under the tournament's rules.

Italian football chiefs have done their bit for the campaign by delaying the start of the do-dn&tfc season' until October 1 to avoid the kind of club-versus-country battles that have undermined the Nigerians’ preparations.

There has been concern however that the players could find themselves short of match sharpness.

That however is discounted by Intemazionale's Andrea Pir-leo. the playmaker in Tardelli's side. "In a tournament like this, even if you are not in peak condition. you can still find your best."