Italy boss Cesare Prandelli admits that he may be tempted to take all six of his current strikers to Euro 2012.
The tactician was expected to axe one of them when it came to announcing his final 23-man squad, but that may now not happen.
“All six of the attackers deserve to be here,” he stated on Thursday evening. “They’ve really impressed me.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli admits that he may be tempted to take all six of his current strikers to Euro 2012.
The tactician was expected to axe one of them when it came to announcing his final 23-man squad, but that may now not happen.
“All six of the attackers deserve to be here,” he stated on Thursday evening. “They’ve really impressed me.
“They have quality, movement, they know how to attack and integrate with the rest of the team. They are modern attackers. If I keep all six in the squad then I’ll sacrifice a defender.”
The forward players in his 32-man party are Milan’s Antonio Cassano, Mario Balotelli of Manchester City, Parma’s Sebastian Giovinco, Antonio Di Natale of Udinese, Roma’s Fabio Borini and Siena surprise Mattia Destro.
“I’ll announce my final squad on Monday afternoon,” Prandelli continued. “At the start I had a few doubts about the youngsters in attack, seeing as I also have [attacking midfielder] Alessandro Diamanti in the squad.
“I’ll see what happens over the next few training sessions.
“I have some very interesting forward players with different characteristics. Destro is certainly wasting no time and he’s giving me a good feeling.”
Prandelli also seemed to suggest that he had no concerns about the fitness of Cassano after he missed six months of the season following heart surgery.
“I always imagined Cassano with us,” he commented. “In these two years he has been a positive for this squad.
“I spoke to him while he was sidelined and I understood his extraordinary desire to be part of the squad. He’s really attached to the shirt and that is an example for everyone.
“Balotelli? I believe him when he says that he won’t get sent off. I’m 100 per cent sure of that.”
While happy with what his attackers are doing in training, the former Fiorentina tactician does have some complications in his mind.
“My worries surround the three or four players who are recovering from injury. Riccardo Montolivo is my biggest concern. I know him well, he wants to recover and is on the mend, but I still have doubts.
“I want to leave for the tournament with certainties and no doubts. I don’t feel as if I can go to Euro 2012 with a few injured players.
“We know that we can start something important here. All of the players know that this will be an extraordinary opportunity for them.”