Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said this evening that despite the difference between the Malta and Italy teams, he was treating Malta with the utmost respect ahead of their World Cup qualifier match tomorrow.
“We know Malta well ,” Prandelli told reporters during a news conference at the MFA Technical Centre soon after Italy’s arrival.
“We have already played Malta at home and also followed them in other matches. Malta are like a club side (in reference to the training scheme of the national squad).
“They are organised and pay attention to defence but we’re well prepared for this match.” He said that four of the six goals Malta suffered against Bulgaria were avoidable mistakes.
Like all the visiting coaches before him, Prandelli identified striker Michael Mifsud as Malta’s outstanding player.
“Yes, he is,” Prandelli said of Mifsud’s billing as Malta’s biggest threat.
“He has good pace and good technique. When you watch Malta’s games, you get the impression that he (Mifsud) is the player who can pose the biggest danger.
“But Malta’s strength lies in their organisation. They have the ability to stay in the game, keep their shape and attack the spaces.
“We will encounter difficulties here if we fail to show the right attitude and concentrate on every ball to make sure that the technical difference between the two sides comes to the fore.”
Prandelli suggested that Malta are showing traits associated with Italian football under Pietro Ghedin’s guidance.
“I see a lot of Italian in this Malta team,” Prandelli remarked. “Ghedin is doing a very good job which manifests itself in the little details . “Malta have got good equilibrium.”
Prandelli admitted that his only selection dilemma was whether to start with Juventus’s Emanuele Giaccherini or Torino’s Alessio Cerci after both players left a positive impression in the Brazil friendly.
The Italy coach also reiterated his concern about the windy conditions.
“The wind could pose a problem if you’re not accustomed to such conditions. If you are struggling to play well, you may lose concentration and we must work on this.”