Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has compared Malta to “a club side” as he warned against complacency ahead of tonight’s 2014 World Cup Group B qualifier at the National Stadium (kick-off 8.45pm).
“We know Malta well,” Prandelli told reporters during a news conference at the MFA Technical Centre soon after Italy’s arrival yesterday evening.
“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 detail but we’re well prepared for this match.”
The day before Malta succumbed to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Bulgaria, Italy earned universal praise after producing a fluent display in a 2-2 draw with Brazil.
A fixture against one of the lesser lights of European football is a mundane affair for Italy compared to the prestigious friendly against the five-times World Cup winners but Prandelli has called on his players to approach today’s qualifier with the right attitude.
“I hope not,” Prandelli replied when asked if his players may find it hard to motivate themselves for the Malta match after their lucrative friendly in Geneva.
“It would be a grave mistake. We are willing to grow and improve and to do that, we must be concentrated for every game. We have to overcome hurdles because in football, nothing can be taken for granted. It only takes one small mistake to spoil all the good work.”
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. “Ghe-din is doing a very good job which manifests itself in the little details. “Malta have got good equilibrium.”
Ghedin detailed André Schembri to shadow midfield lynch-pin Andrea Pirlo when Malta lost 2-0 to Italy in Modena last September.
The Italy coach is certain that his Malta counterpart will repeat that ploy tonight.
“For sure, one player will mark Pirlo,” Prandelli said.
“I mean Brazil did this and I believe Malta will do likewise.
“We try to build up play from defence to midfield. Pirlo must have patience and be alert to the second ball.”
Selection dilemma
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 that prevailed here yesterday.
“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.”
Italy lead Bulgaria by one point at the top of Group B but have a game in hand. After holding Italy to a 2-2 draw, Bulgaria are seen as the Azzurri’s main challengers for top spot but Prandelli is not writing off Denmark and the Czech Republic.
“There are three teams that are very balanced,” Prandelli said.
“All of them will try to go far in the competition and things can change in just one month because they have several young players who are improving rapidly.
“This is a tight group with three nations who took part in the Euro 2012 finals (Italy, Czech Republic and Denmark).”
Snippets
Balotelli misses
• Mario Balotelli caught attention during training at Coverciano yesterday morning after missing a penalty. Balotelli has earned a reputation for his excellent record from the spot but the Milan forward surprised journalists present when his penalty kick during training came off the post.
Greens win
• The team sporting green bibs beat those wearing blue 3-1 during yesterday’s training game. Claudio Marchisio, who is available after recovering from a throat infection, Sebastian Giovinco and Alessio Cerci got the goals for the winners while Stephan El Shaarawy, who is expected to partner Balotelli in attack this evening, was on target for the losing side.
Wind factor
• Italian players were slightly worried about the strong wind that hit the islands ahead of their flight from Pisa yesterday. Their apprehension stemmed from the frightening experience last Thursday when their plane was struck by lightning on its way to Geneva where Italy drew 2-2 with Brazil in the evening. Milan defender Ignazio Abate suggested that, if the wind persists today, it might disrupt their performance at the National Stadium.