Italy’s Salvatore Sirigu expects a tough match when the Azzurri take on Costa Rica in their second World Cup 2014 encounter.

The two teams, surprisingly, sit joint top of Group D after one match following the Ticos’ shock 3-1 victory over Uruguay.

Italy’s Salvatore Sirigu expects a tough match when the Azzurri take on Costa Rica in their second World Cup 2014 encounter.

The two teams, surprisingly, sit joint top of Group D after one match following the Ticos’ shock 3-1 victory over Uruguay.

Speaking at a Press conference today, the Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper said he always expected the Central American outsiders to provide dangerous opposition for their opponents.  

“It wasn’t a surprise because, speaking a few months ago about the World Cup, I said that Costa Rica would be a difficult opponent for us and for everyone,” Sirigu said.

“Then, at PSG, we saw Campbell at Olympiacos and he impressed me.

“I knew that at this World Cup, in this climate, they would do well. They are a physical team who run, it will be hard for us.

“It will be important because we could get through with another win. It’s delicate for us and for everyone.

“We absolutely want to win, but Costa Rica will want to continue to surprise. Not many people expected their victory [against Uruguay].”

With the match on Friday set to begin at 13.00 local time, Sirigu also admitted the playing conditions would once again be tough for the Azzurri.

“In Manaus, we got tired at a certain point of the match because the climate conditions didn’t allow us to breathe!

“Playing at 13.00 will be more difficult in terms of energy and concentration. The physical preparation we did in Coverciano will help us.

“We still haven’t trained at one in the afternoon, but the sun then is very strong.”

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