Italy coach braced for a tough challenge in the quarter-finals
By Nadia Carminati. Last Updated: June 19, 2012 5:12pm
Cesare Prandelli: Believes his team deserve a good appraisal for safely negotiating Group C
Sky Bet
Cesare Prandelli believes Italy deserve credit for reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as he weighs up who he would prefer his team to face.
The 54-year-old coach guided his team to draws against Spain andCroatia
before beating the Republic of Ireland on Monday to seal a last-eight spot for the Azzurri.
before beating the Republic of Ireland on Monday to seal a last-eight spot for the Azzurri.
Prandelli believes that represents a good achievement given the quality of the opposition in Group C.
"We deserve a good appraisal," said Prandelli. "We played our first game against Spain - a big side who will win for a long time.
"Against Croatia we played good football for an hour. In the third match we faced Ireland, a team with character who had nothing to lose."
Different
As runners-up behind Spain in their group, Italy will face the winners of Group D.
The identity of that team will be decided on Tuesday with France, England and Ukraine all in with a chance of topping the group.
Prandelli believes each of the teams would prove challenging in their own way.
He added: "France, England and Ukraine have different characteristics.
"France have an interesting and dangerous game, with modern forwards. England are instead finding a balance - an important team.
"Ukraine have great spirit and are able to launch swift counter-attacks like few others. We wait. We are ready."
0 commentaires