BARI, March 27 (Euro 2008 Qualifier) - Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is
hoping goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will recover in time for Wednesday's
Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland in Bari.
The Juventus and World Cup-winning keeper has struggled with a stomach
bug but did train on the eve of the encounter with the rest of his team-mates
at the San Nicola Stadium.
'Buffon has trained well today,' said Donadoni. 'He hasn't been at his
best in the past few days but I'm hoping that his condition will improve
overnight and that he will be available to play tomorrow tonight.
'Buffon knows the importance of this game, he wanted to train and I'm
sure he will want to play tomorrow.'
Buffon and Co realise the significance of the encounter with the Azzurri
trailing five points behind Group B leaders Scotland, after only two wins
in four qualifying games.
However, Donadoni believes their hunger to win should not give his players
room for anxiety early in the game.
'We must use our heads,' he said. 'We will make a big mistake to be in
a hurry to score, this would only be a counter-productive for us. We must
remember that a game lasts 90 minutes.
'Of course, our aim is to win this game but this is not the game of our
lives.
'For us it's crucial to get a result against Scotland, that is what we
have been working for this week.
'We know we will face challenges against them but we will try to make
life difficult for them too.'
Having watched Alex McLeish's side claim a late win against Georgia at
the weekend, Donadoni believes Scotland's main strength is the team's
fighting spirit.
'They fought for a win until the end against Georgia,' he said. 'They
showed a lot of character and it's no surprise that they currently have
12 points in the standings.
'The standing speaks for itself, I'm not surprised that Scotland are in
the top spot in the group, they deserve to be in that position.
'We knew our group was going to be very balanced and that has been the
case so far.'
Donadoni will have captain Fabio Cannavaro available despite the Real
Madrid defender having sustained a minor injury after an accidental elbow
during Tuesday's training.
,
March 27, 2007.
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