A five-point lead in their Euro 2012 qualification group is not enough for Gianluigi Buffon, who warns the Azzurri not to lower the guard when they welcome Estonia tomorrow in Modena.
“Certainly it is a nice surprise to be in this position,” the Juventus goalkeeper said. “I thought it was impossible to start immediately with a winning project after the ruins of the 2010 World Cup.
“We have the possibility to qualify well in advance for the next Euro. But we should take nothing for granted. We now have this game with Estonia and we must be careful.”
Italy lead Group C on 13 points from five games, with Slovenia and Serbia, who played six games, chasing on eight points and Estonia trailing on seven, with five games.
Cesare Prandelli lost Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who this week hurt a knee while training, and left home Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who was sanctioned with a three-game ban late in the season for elbowing an opponent.
“The doors are open for (De Rossi), of course, but our ethical code is clear: I do not like who spits or elbows,” said the coach, who set strict disciplinary guidelines when he took over last July after a bitter elimination at the South Africa-hosted World Cup.
Veteran Andrea Pirlo, who recently moved from champions AC Milan to Juventus, is back to his play-maker role and should play in midfield with Riccardo Montolivo, given the absence of the injured Thiago Motta.
Napoli’s Christian Maggio should man the right flank in a defence relying on mainstay Giorgio Chiellini and the in-form Federico Balzaretti of Palermo as left-back.
Giampaolo Pazzini of Inter Milan is likely to provide power upfront, with the fast Giuseppe Rossi of Villareal supporting him, as Prandelli ponders the use of Antonio Cassano, who was seldom fielded at Milan.
“These days we have worked very well,” Maggio said from the camp that started Monday in Coverciano.
“After the league season (ended on May 22) it is normal to pull the plug, but it did not happen here. We are calm and aware that we will play a difficult game with Estonia. We want to secure the three points and look at the future with confidence.”
Estonia was a tough test for Prandelli when he steered the Azzurri in his first competitive game. The Baltic hosts went one up in Tallinn last September, but Italy managed to rally for a 2-1 win.
Source: http://www.gulf-times.com