Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has criticised forward Antonio Cassano for his occasional selfishness but still looks poised to start the forward in tomorrow's final group match with France.
Italy will go out if they lose to the side they beat in the World Cup final two years ago, prompting expectations Donadoni will go for broke in a bid to save himself from the sack.
Victory will not even be enough if Romania beat group winners the Netherlands in the other match, but Donadoni is concentrating on his own side and what they have to do.
Fresh inspiration is needed and the colourful Cassano fits the bill with his trickery and cheekiness.
Former Italy midfielder Donadoni said he saw a bit of himself in Cassano but remains frustrated when he fails to pass the ball to better-placed team mates.
"Sometimes this aspect makes me a bit angry," Donadoni told a news conference today. "(But) I can say that some of his play does remind me of some of things I used to do. He does have similar dribbling abilities."
Donadoni would not confirm media reports Cassano would start, saying he was keeping his lineup secret this time. The day before Friday's 1-1 draw with Romania, Donadoni said Alessandro Del Piero would start but the 33-year-old had an average game and could now make way for Cassano.
Italian fans are paranoid that the Dutch, who beat Italy 3-0 and France 4-1, will put out a second string side against Romania in Berne or pull out of tackles to avoid injury.
Donadoni, who played with the Netherlands coach Marco van Basten at Milan in the late 1980s and early 90s, said he had not spoken to his friend about his tactics as a mark of respect.
"I think that would be really bad of me. If I was Marco van Basten, I'd be offended to receive a call like that," the coach said, adding that he expected any Dutch reserves to play well.
"Why would a reserve play badly so Romania win? You'd feel humiliated." Since the World Cup final, Italy have lost 3-1 and drawn 0-0 against France in Euro qualifying. T
heir meetings have added spice to an already strong rivalry but Donadoni played it down. "For us, it is no different. It is just another team we are playing against." he said.