Associated Press

"The road leading to the World Cup is entering a decisive phase, considering we only have three games available," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.

After facing the Dutch team in Pescara, Italy hosts Sweden four days later in Cesena, then will have one more friendly in March against a team to be determined.

Italy is without several key players, including Vincenzo Iaquinta, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio.

"These games will still be an important test," Lippi said. "Especially Saturday."

The Netherlands and Italy have both qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

FC Twente midfielder Wout Brama could make his full international debut in the Netherlands team after a strong start to the season with the Dutch league leaders.

"You don't dare expect something like this, you just hope for it," Brama said at the Netherlands training camp.

Brama was called up late to coach Bert van Marwijk's 23-man squad to replace David Mendes da Silva, who in turn had replaced Ajax midfielder Demy de Zeeuw, who is recovering from tonsil surgery.

Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is hoping to grab his chance to impress his club AC Milan, where he spends most of his time on the substitutes' bench.

"That's the way it goes sometimes," Huntelaar said of his lack of playing time in Milan. "I have to make sure I stay sharp."

Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has already impressed at Inter Milan but won't face any of his club teammates since no players from Jose Mourinho's mostly foreign squad have been called up by Lippi.

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is in the Dutch squad, but not certain to be playing due to a knee injury. Club teammate Mark van Bommel is set to return for his first match in five months after missing recent games with a toe injury.

Alberto Gilardino will likely lead Italy's attack, with Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi on the wings. Gilardino and Camoranesi both scored against the Netherlands four years ago, with Luca Toni providing the third goal.

Toni is struggling to regain his form with Bayern Munich after an injury layoff and was not called up by Lippi.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has joined the team after missing the opening day of training due to a fever.

Lippi could use the game to test several new players, such as Cagliari midfielder Davide Biondini, Parma midfielder Daniele Galloppa and Livorno midfielder Antonio Candreva.

"We've got a group of 30-35 players, from which the 23-man team for South Africa will be chosen," Lippi said.

Associated Press writer Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report.