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Germany are the favourites for Euro 2012, but Italy could succeed with Antonio Di Natale, says Christian Panucci
The former AC Milan and Roma central defender believes that Joachim Low's outfit are the team to beat, with his own country among the challengers alongside Spain and England
2 Dec 2011 11:00:00
Getty Images
EXCLUSIVE
By Paolo Camedda
Former Italy defender Christian Panucci believes that Germany are the favourites to win next summer's Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine, but says that the Azzurri shouldn't be written off.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the former centre-back explained that he is backing Joachim Low's injection of youth to prove too much for current champions Spain. He also believes that Italy could have a good run if Udinese's Antonio Di Natale is given the opportunity to transfer his goalscoring form at club level to the international stage.
The full interview can be read below.
Goal.com: Christian, How do you view Cesare Prandelli's Italy ahead of Euro 2012? What do you think is possible for the Nazionale in this competition?
Christian Panucci: Personally, Italy have left a very good impression on me. They dominated the qualifying group and ended the phase on a high. So, looking ahead to the finals, there is definitely hope. The Azzurri have definitely proved that they are a very important team. Naturally, to say from here that they can win the title is quite a step, but I believe that they can challenge anyone.
One problem facing Prandelli is the likely absence of his first-choice front line of Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano. There are many candidates for the jerseys, though. Who would you decide on?
Without wanting to steal the coach's job, and without wanting to take away from other strikers, I am convinced that in a short tournament like the Euros, a player like Antonio Di Natale, who is having a great season, can really make a difference. I hope Prandelli takes this into account and eventually takes him to Poland and Ukraine.
I also believe in the recovery of Antonio Cassano. I know how determined he is to succeed and I hope that he will be ready for the Euros. He deserves to be there, given everything he has done for the national side in this competition, and for what has happened on a personal level. Then, if they make a contribution in the rest of this season, there are Mario Balotelli, Giampaolo Pazzini...
In addition to Di Natale, who do you think will be the key players at the Euros?
I think the principal force for Italy will be in the group that Prandelli has managed to create. Daniele De Rossi will surely be a decisive player, and also Balotelli, who is having a great season with Manchester City, could make an important contribution for the Azzurri.
Di Natale | Deserves a spot in the 23, according to Panucci
The draw takes place tonight. Who, in your opinion, are the teams Italy need to avoid?
Given that in the Euros there is one round less than in the World Cup, and after the group phase you go straight to the quarter-finals, a little luck for the Azzurri would not go amiss. In the first pot, Spain and the Netherlands are to be avoided, so hopefully they'll get one of the two host countries. The third and fourth pots have pitfalls, too, though, with teams such as Portugal and France. We hope for a good draw, but we are Italy, and we must play well whatever.
Of the 16 finalists, who are your favourites to win the tournament?
I see Germany as the favourites, then, a step behind, Spain, Italy and England. If I was to bet a euro, I would be putting it on Germany.
So why Germany, and not Spain, who are current world and European champions?
The Germans are coming from a great World Cup and also have the youngest team of the batch of participants at the Euros. They won every game in qualifying, and winning is part of their DNA. Traditionally, they are difficult to beat in competitions like this.
Who do you think will be the stars of this event?
The names are diverse and well-known. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Miroslav Klose, perhaps Balotelli, who knows ... It will be a tournament of great champions and great matches, to watch and enjoy all in one go.
You played in Euro 2004 and Euro 2008. What is your most vivid memory of this event?
To take part in two European Championships was a thing of great satisfaction for me. The most vivid memory remains the game against Sweden in 2004, with Giovanni Trapattoni in the dugout. Every time I think of that game I want to play it all over again. It was a great game, fought hard by both sides, with qualification to the quarter-finals at stake. We would have won 1-0, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised with his backheel, and we ended up being eliminated from the tournament.
By Paolo Camedda
Former Italy defender Christian Panucci believes that Germany are the favourites to win next summer's Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine, but says that the Azzurri shouldn't be written off.
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.63 | Draw £80.00 | China £260.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £230.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.30 | Draw £110.00 | China £260.00 |
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In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the former centre-back explained that he is backing Joachim Low's injection of youth to prove too much for current champions Spain. He also believes that Italy could have a good run if Udinese's Antonio Di Natale is given the opportunity to transfer his goalscoring form at club level to the international stage.
The full interview can be read below.
Goal.com: Christian, How do you view Cesare Prandelli's Italy ahead of Euro 2012? What do you think is possible for the Nazionale in this competition?
Christian Panucci: Personally, Italy have left a very good impression on me. They dominated the qualifying group and ended the phase on a high. So, looking ahead to the finals, there is definitely hope. The Azzurri have definitely proved that they are a very important team. Naturally, to say from here that they can win the title is quite a step, but I believe that they can challenge anyone.
One problem facing Prandelli is the likely absence of his first-choice front line of Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano. There are many candidates for the jerseys, though. Who would you decide on?
Without wanting to steal the coach's job, and without wanting to take away from other strikers, I am convinced that in a short tournament like the Euros, a player like Antonio Di Natale, who is having a great season, can really make a difference. I hope Prandelli takes this into account and eventually takes him to Poland and Ukraine.
I also believe in the recovery of Antonio Cassano. I know how determined he is to succeed and I hope that he will be ready for the Euros. He deserves to be there, given everything he has done for the national side in this competition, and for what has happened on a personal level. Then, if they make a contribution in the rest of this season, there are Mario Balotelli, Giampaolo Pazzini...
In addition to Di Natale, who do you think will be the key players at the Euros?
I think the principal force for Italy will be in the group that Prandelli has managed to create. Daniele De Rossi will surely be a decisive player, and also Balotelli, who is having a great season with Manchester City, could make an important contribution for the Azzurri.
Di Natale | Deserves a spot in the 23, according to Panucci
The draw takes place tonight. Who, in your opinion, are the teams Italy need to avoid?
Given that in the Euros there is one round less than in the World Cup, and after the group phase you go straight to the quarter-finals, a little luck for the Azzurri would not go amiss. In the first pot, Spain and the Netherlands are to be avoided, so hopefully they'll get one of the two host countries. The third and fourth pots have pitfalls, too, though, with teams such as Portugal and France. We hope for a good draw, but we are Italy, and we must play well whatever.
Of the 16 finalists, who are your favourites to win the tournament?
I see Germany as the favourites, then, a step behind, Spain, Italy and England. If I was to bet a euro, I would be putting it on Germany.
So why Germany, and not Spain, who are current world and European champions?
The Germans are coming from a great World Cup and also have the youngest team of the batch of participants at the Euros. They won every game in qualifying, and winning is part of their DNA. Traditionally, they are difficult to beat in competitions like this.
Who do you think will be the stars of this event?
The names are diverse and well-known. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Miroslav Klose, perhaps Balotelli, who knows ... It will be a tournament of great champions and great matches, to watch and enjoy all in one go.
You played in Euro 2004 and Euro 2008. What is your most vivid memory of this event?
To take part in two European Championships was a thing of great satisfaction for me. The most vivid memory remains the game against Sweden in 2004, with Giovanni Trapattoni in the dugout. Every time I think of that game I want to play it all over again. It was a great game, fought hard by both sides, with qualification to the quarter-finals at stake. We would have won 1-0, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised with his backheel, and we ended up being eliminated from the tournament.
Visit our Euro 2012 microsite for all you need to know ahead of Friday's draw and beyond - team profiles, stadium guides, even which hotels are best to stay in!
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And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
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"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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