Casiraghi wants more of the same from Italy
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi is hoping this charges can replicate the "spirit" and "desire" which helped them dramatically pip Wales to a play-off spot when Belarus visit Rieti for the first leg.
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Having watched his squad win their group in dramatic fashion after a slow start, Pierluigi Casiraghi is asking Italy to display the same "spirit" when they host Belarus in the first leg of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off on Friday.
Two losses in their first four matches left the Azzurrini up against it in their bid to qualify from Group 3. Just as it seemed the five-time winners might not make the play-offs, Casiraghi's side reeled off four successive victories, concluding with a last-day triumph against Wales to leapfrog their opponents to the top of the section.
"It will be important to play with the same spirit we had in the decisive group games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales [winning both 1-0]," said Casiraghi. "I ask my players to play with intensity and desire, to give their all to reach the finals. Belarus are a very talented side, especially in attack, where they have players who are physically strong and technically gifted."
Italy trio Lorenzo De Silvestri, Angelo Ogbonna and Mattia Destro are all doubtful with minor injuries and Guido Marilungo is suspended: by contrast, Belarus have the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from for the fixture in Rieti. "We've got all our best players with us at the moment," said coach Georgi Kondratiev, whose team qualified as one of the four best runners-up. "Everyone's fit and feeling positive."
The nations are well acquainted having met eight times at U21 level, most recently at the 2009 final tournament in Sweden when the Azzurrini prevailed 2-1. However, should additional information be required, Kondratiev need look no further than Cagliari Calcio midfielder Mikhail Sivakov, for whom the tie, which concludes in Borisov on Tuesday, has taken on extra significance.
"These matches have special meaning for me," said the 22-year-old. "My club-mate, Lorenzo Ariaudo, one of Italy's key defenders, thinks they were lucky with the draw. It looks like Italy are favourites but I know for sure they won't have an easy ride against us."
