Paolo Maldini and fellow-defender Mark Iuliano should be fit to play in Italy's Euro 2000 quarter-final against Romania in Brussels on Saturday.

But Internazionale midfielder Luigi Di Biagio, whose goal capped a fine personal performance in Italy's 2-1 Group B defeat of Sweden, is nursing a thigh injury and might not recover in time for Saturday's match.

'Maldini and Iuliano shouldn't be a problem for the next match but Di Biagio is a little more worrying,' said Italian coach Dino Zoff today.

Italian captain Maldini limped out of the match against Sweden with an injury to his left knee after a heavy tackle on Celtic striker Henrik Lars-son at the end of the first half.

Iuliano, a left-sided defender, injured his right shoulder in an aerial challenge with Larsson and was substituted at half-time.

Di Biagio, who put Italy ahead in the 39th minute, hurt his left thigh in the second half but had to play on as Zoff had used his three permitted substitutes.

The shaven-headed Inter player would probably not be in Zoff's starting line-up but his absence would deprive Italy of a useful alternative to Demetrio Albertini in the ball-winner's role.

'Di Biagio played on in a difficult situation in the second half. Given his condition I think he played very well,' the coach said.

Zoff added he was disappointed with several aspects of his side's performance against Sweden.

'We were a bit disorganised in the early stages of the game. There were a couple of periods in the second half too when we didn't play,' he said.

He said he would give Italy seven out of 10 on the basis of their three consecutive Euro 2000 victories.

The most pleasing aspect of his side's clean sweep of the group was their defeat of Turkey in their first game when they won 2-1 after surrendering a 1-0 lead.

'I'm pleased that after they equalised we were able to go on and win the match,' said Zoff.

Italy became only the second team in the history of the Championships to win their three group matches. France were the first in 1984 and Portugal, who beat Germany 3-0, equalled that record last night.