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Italy boss Cesare Prandelli concerned by 'very difficult' Euro 2012 group with Spain, Ireland & Croatia
The national team coach was not overly optimistic with the group draw for next year's championship in Poland and Ukraine and hopes Cassano and Rossi will be available
2 Dec 2011 19:13:00
By Stefan Coerts
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has admitted that his side could face a tough task to progress from Group C at next year's European Championship.
The Italians were placed alongside Spain, Republic of Ireland and Croatia during Friday's Euro 2012 draw in Kiev, and Prandelli feels that they've been handed a difficult section.
"It's a very difficult group. We didn't want to meet [Ireland coach Giovanni] Trapattoni for many reasons. Plus we'll meet the world champions. We have to be well prepared in June [2012], because it will be a very tough tournament for us," Prandelli said to Rai.
"I don't know who will be the worst opponent between Croatia and Ireland, it will depend on the physical shape in June.
"I know that Trapattoni will try to get the best results until the end. Trapattoni told me that he wanted to bring Ireland to train in Italy before the tournament, but now he will change his plans. We will stay in Krakow."
The Italy boss then went on to discuss his eventual squad for Euro 2012 and admitted that he hopes Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi are fully match fit in time, with the Azzurri's opening clash against holders Spain on June 10.
"I hope I will have Rossi and Cassano back fit. In the next few months we will try to understand whether this is possible.
"If I won't have them at my availability, I won't change our system of play, so we will still have three midfielders and a trequartista."
| 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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The Italians were placed alongside Spain, Republic of Ireland and Croatia during Friday's Euro 2012 draw in Kiev, and Prandelli feels that they've been handed a difficult section.
"It's a very difficult group. We didn't want to meet [Ireland coach Giovanni] Trapattoni for many reasons. Plus we'll meet the world champions. We have to be well prepared in June [2012], because it will be a very tough tournament for us," Prandelli said to Rai.
"I don't know who will be the worst opponent between Croatia and Ireland, it will depend on the physical shape in June.
"I know that Trapattoni will try to get the best results until the end. Trapattoni told me that he wanted to bring Ireland to train in Italy before the tournament, but now he will change his plans. We will stay in Krakow."
The Italy boss then went on to discuss his eventual squad for Euro 2012 and admitted that he hopes Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi are fully match fit in time, with the Azzurri's opening clash against holders Spain on June 10.
"I hope I will have Rossi and Cassano back fit. In the next few months we will try to understand whether this is possible.
"If I won't have them at my availability, I won't change our system of play, so we will still have three midfielders and a trequartista."
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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.
"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."
"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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