Italy: expectations high

By Paolo Menicucci

Italy have won four of the last six UEFA Under-21 European Championships so it is no surprise that Claudio Gentile's team are among the favourites to clinch the 2004 title in Germany this summer.

Fantastic form
Italy arrive at the finals boasting a near-perfect recent record, with seven wins from their eight-game qualifying campaign, scoring 26 goals and conceding just five to top their group before defeating Denmark in a two-legged play-off. Although fellow finalists Serbia and Montenegro inflicted Italy's only defeat during qualification, the highlights of the campaign were the 6-0 drubbing of Azerbaijan in the final group game and an 8-1 home victory against a beleaguered Welsh side, unable to cope with the livewire Parma AC striker Alberto Gilardino, who ended the game with four goals.

Gilardino key
Gilardino, whose 23 Serie A goals for Parma this season triggered calls for a senior call-up, goes into the tournament as Italy's joint-second highest U21 goalscorer, his eleven strikes putting him level with Massimo Maccarone and Gianluca Vialli. "Gilardino can make the difference for us in Germany," said Gentile - and a further four goals at this level would put the 21-year-old level with all-time top scorer Andrea Pirlo.

Strength in depth
Gilardino is likely to be partnered in the forward line by AC Chievo Verona's Giuseppe Sculli. Quick and technically skilled, Sculli has forced his way past Marco Borriello, whose lack of first-team opportunities at AC Milan this season has forced him out of contention. Andrea Caracciolo is perhaps the main alternative for Sculli, after scoring 12 goals for Brescia Calcio this season.

Defensive foundations
Despite their abundance of classy strikers, the Italian side is, as ever, built on strong defensive foundations. During the play-offs against the Danes, it was the backline that helped Italy through. A goalless draw at home was followed by conceding a fourth-minute goal in the return leg in Farum and the Italian defence had to be stoic to keep their team in the tie. An own goal by goalkeeper Stephan Andersen in added time at the end of the first-half allowed the Italians to squeeze through.

Composed Bonera
Famous for his tight marking as a player, Gentile has built a strong defensive line around the composed Daniele Bonera. Centre-half Bonera, another who hoped to make the trip to Portugal with the senior team this summer, plays alongside Parma team-mate Paolo Cannavaro, while Christin Zaccardo of Bologna FC is a strong right-back with an eye for goal. AC Chievo Verona's Andrea Barzagli and Cesare Bovo of US Lecce have also enjoyed good seasons in Serie A.

Brighi spark
In midfield, Matteo Brighi is the real leader. He had a brilliant season on loan at Brescia Calcio and will return to Juventus FC next season. He is the most experienced player in the squad with 27 appearances for the under-21s and made his debut with the senior team in a friendly against Slovenia in 2002. Massimo Donati is another strong, solid midfielder, while Andrea Gasbarroni and Gaetano D'Agostino of AS Roma add creativity.

Gentile persuasion
Gentile is confident he can guide his team to success and said: "I'm really satisfied with the progress made by this team over the past two years. We are in a difficult group with emerging teams from Eastern Europe so it won't be easy, but I'm confident we can do well."

For profile of coach Claudio Gentile click here