What: Euro 2008 Qualifying Round - Group B
Who: Italy (5-1-1, 16 pts, 2nd place) v France (6-0-1) 18 pts, 1st)
When: Saturday, September 8, 2007, kick-off 2050 (CET)
Where: San Siro, Milan
Big Rivalry
Italy and France face each other for the third time in just
over a year in a match which could be fundamental to their qualification
for the European Championships.
After all the accusations and provocations bouncing from one side to the
other (even though it was mostly from the French camp), the rivalry between
the two nations has increased and will be a great re-match of the World
Cup final, even though France already took their revenge last year when
they defeated the Azzurri 3-1.
Another win for Les Bleus here will see them take charge of the group,
and at the same time, doom Roberto Donadoni and the Azzurri to the depths
of crisis. But that is precisely the reason why it will take some doing
for Raymond Domenech's boys.
The Italians are at home, in a must win situation, and with the French
jibes still very much on their minds, there is absolutely no way they
will bring anything but a 100% to the San Siro.
In case another reason was needed, there is also the small matter of revenge,
for the defeat in France last year. Donadoni can, with one spectacular
blow, work himself back into the good books of the critics.
Raymond Domenech will be in the stands for reasons only too well known,
and that is unlikely to help the visitors. However, France, for their
part, will be no less confident.
They have been doing well since the World Cup, and are not sitting at
the top of the most difficult qualifying group without reason. The likes
of Samir Nasri and Frank Ribery have really been in impressive form, and
with Malouda, Vieira, Henry and Makelele around them, they have looked
formidable.
Physical Problems
For Italy, it's time to prove why they are the World Champions, and beating
France would surely be a great boost of confidence for the remainder of
the group games, even though the Azzurri admitted that for them it's more
important to beat Ukraine than France.
Italy always seem to have a hard time when playing the first games of
the season, as was the case with the recent friendly game against Hungary
and last year's debacle against the French side, as well as the disappointing
home draw against Lithuania.
The Azzurri seem to take their time to find their best possible form,
but that is something they simply do not have this time around. Two poort
results, and it will be campaign over. They need to produde their best
now, or it will be never.
Much Needed Help
They will have over 80,000 fans supporting them at San Siro on Saturday
evening as they bid to replace the French at the top of Group B. What
could worry the Azzurri is the fact that Italy have failed to beat France
within regular time for the past 29 years, even though World Champions
have beaten Les Bleus 10 out 13 times when playing at home.
With Scotland just one point behind, and Ukraine three behind with a game
in hand, Italy simply cannot afford a defeat against their rivals, or
else they could face a repeat of the Euro 1984 qualifiers, when as World
Champions Italy failed to qualify for the European Championships.
TEAM NEWS
Italy
The only doubt for Roberto Donadoni is Luca Toni, but even if he does
not make it, the Azzurri can rely on the ever prolific Filippo Inzaghi
to score the all important goals.
The Italian national team coach seems destined to play Barzagli at the
centre of the defence along with Cannavaro, considering that Materazzi
is not available due to injury. However it is yet unclear who will partner
Toni or Inzaghi upfront, even though during the latest training sessions
Cristian Lucarelli seemed the most in-form striker.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati (Club Atletico de Madrid), Marco Amelia
(AS Livorno Calcio), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (US Citta di Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real
Madrid CF), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Alessandro Gamberini (ACF Fiorentina),
Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Massimo Oddo (AC Milan), Christian
Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona)
Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese
Calcio), Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan), Cristiano Lucarelli (FC Shakhtar
Donetsk), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese Calcio), Luca Toni (FC Bayern Munchen)
France
Patrick Vieira is set to play for Les Bleus despite the worry of Inter
due to his injury which he has not recovered completely from. The former
Juventus player is set to play alongside Makelele, Ribery and Malouda
in a four-man midfield.
On the other hand, Domenech seems to have trouble in defence as William
Gallas injured himself during Friday's training session. In attack France
will rely on the Anelka-Henry duo to beat Gianluigi Buffon.
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona), Francois Clerc (Olympique Lyonnais),
Julien Escude (Sevilla FC), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William
Gallas (Arsenal FC), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC),
Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona).
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea
FC), Claude Makelele (Chelsea FC), Samir Nasri (Olympique de Marseille),
Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrick Vieira (FC Internazionale
Milano).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers FC), Karim Benzema (Olympique
Lyonnais), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona),
Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Franck Ribery (FC Bayern Munchen), David
Trezeguet (Juventus).
PREDICTION
This might not be the best time for Italy to meet France in such a decisive
encounter. If Les Bleus are in a better physical condition than the Azzurri,
then it could spell trouble for Roberto Donadoni's side. However, in the
end both teams might be happy with a shared point for the remainder of
the group stage.
Italy 1 - 1 France
,
07/09/2007
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