Make or break for Azzurrini

By Mark Bennett in Bochum

After losing their opening match of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship against Belarus the pressure is mounting on pre-tournament favourites Italy.

'Lacking luck'
The morning after watching his team beaten 2-1 by the dark horses in Group A, Claudio Gentile was still finding it hard to come to terms with defeat. "We were in control of the game and had some good chances," the Italian coach reflected. "We simply lacked that bit of luck you need."

'Pressure increased'
Luckless or not, Italy find themselves in a make-or-break situation as defeat at the hands of Serbia and Montenegro would see the four-time winners make an unexpected early exit after Belarus and Croatia drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday. "We all know that we need a good result, but it won't be easy," Gentile added. "Serbia and Montenegro have got a very good side and the pressure on my players has increased even more now."

Fatigue check
Given the situation, the 49-year-old coach would prefer not to rest any of his key players in Bochum, besides Daniele Bonera, whose late red card against Belarus earned him a one-match ban. Gentile added: "I will have to speak to the players tomorrow. If anyone is tired they will be rested, if not we will go into the match with the best possible lineup."

Two minds
Serbia and Montenegro's opening-day victory against Croatia by the odd goal in five has placed coach Vladimir Petrovic in two minds before his team take on the Azzurrini. "If it was the last match and everything was left to play for I would field my best side," he explained. "However, this is a tournament and I have to think of at least three matches.

Personnel shuffle
"We have four players on a yellow card and a further booking could see them out of the final match. I really don't know what I will do yet but I wasn't all that happy with our performance that led to Croatia getting an equaliser.I will not change the tactics, but the names could well change."

Belarus bonus
Although Italy are expected to show their true colours with the pressure on, Petrovic believes the Belarussians' shock victory could work to his side's advantage. "We played them [Italy] in qualifying, winning one match and losing the other, so there are no secrets. But Belarus did show us an approach the Italians didn't like."