Italy

PRANDELLI EXPECTS TOUGH MATCH

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The Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli has said that he is expecting tough match against France when the two sides meet each other in a friendly match. The Italians have a poor record when it comes to friendly matches because they have not won a friendly match in the last 12 months. Their last win in a friendly match came against Poland more than a year ago. This time around, Prandelli will be without the services of the Roma midfielder Daniele Di Rossi after the 29-year-old has been omitted from the squad due to disciplinary reasons.

France come into the match on the back of a confidence boosting 1-1 draw with the world champions Spain in the last World Cup qualifying group match. They have certainly changed their style of football under the new management. This makes them a particularly tough prospect according to the Italian. He has also dismissed suggestions that it will be a normal match because against France it never is the case. He has also said that both teams are likely to show a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. Prandelli has said that he is looking forward to picking the AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy, who has been in sensational form this season.

“It won’t be a normal match against France, it’s never a normal match against them. We know that very well, having faced them many times in important competitions and in finals too. It’s never a friendly match against France. I only hope we see two teams who want to play football, two teams who are proud to be playing, showing emotion and enthusiasm. The result will come from who has the better attitude of the two teams. That’s my opinion on that,” said the Italian national team manager ahead of the match with France.

PRANDELLI WANST RESULTS

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The Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli has said that the performance is not the most important aspect right now, but qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup is what matters. He has said that he will not be focusing on the performance of the team. Italy have started the qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by drawing the opening match against Bulgaria 0-0. They will be playing against Malta in the second qualifying match, from which the national team will be looking for its first win to get the campaign up and running.

There have been suggestions that Italy will steamroll Malta due to the quality of players within the team, but the manager has said that he is not worried about getting three points rather than the performance. The 55-year-old has been hugely praised for the way he has helped the Italian national team reach the final of the Euro 2012. The manager has previously suggested that he will be employing a 3-5-2 formation in this qualification campaign. The likes of Sebastian Giovinco and Pablo Osvaldo are expected to play key roles in this formation. The manager has said that the Roma midfielder De Rossi is a doubt for the game.

“The key word is qualification. Then we have to worry about quality of play. The Euros gave us important experience. There’s a little bit of worry because everyone expects a win. However, we give our best when we are a little afraid. They [Osvaldo and Giovinco] are in excellent physical condition, more so than the others, who are also in good condition. The only question is De Rossi, but the situation is more yes than no,” said Cesare Prandelli ahead of the match with Malta. Italy have important matches against Denmark and Armenia coming up.