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ITALY v SCOTLAND - McLEISH: LET'S MAKE HISTORY
Scotland manager Alex McLeish has urged his players to make history when they face world champions Italy in Wednesday night's crucial European Championship qualifier.
Previous meetings between the two nations have not been kind to the Scots, who have failed to register so much as a draw on Italian soil in four attempts.
In fact, the only time they have managed to score against the Azzurri in their own backyard was Kevin Gallacher's consolation strike in a 3-1 defeat in Rome 13 years ago.
However, McLeish sees no reason why his current crop of players cannot re-write the script in Bari's San Nicola Stadium.
Scotland head into the clash hoping to defend their position as Group B leaders and confidence is high in the camp following Saturday's dramatic 2-1 victory over Georgia at Hampden.
McLeish said: "We know it will be difficult because no Scotland team has taken a point there before but we can make history.
"We're looking forward to the game, this is what it's all about, and it will be fantastic for the players.
"I would like to think the players will really appreciate the moment and savour it.
"Football careers go by in a flash and, in a few years time when they are looking back, hopefully they will look back on a fantastic result."
McLeish faces some difficult decisions in terms of team selection over the next 24 hours.
Centre-half Steven Pressley is free of suspension but an impressive performance from Celtic club-mate Stephen McManus against Georgia in his absence could be taken into consideration.
Up front, Craig Beattie and Kris Boyd were both on target at the weekend and will be hoping they have done enough to stake a claim for a place.
However, Kenny Miller has far more experience at international level and found the back of the net the last time Scotland played Italy.
McLeish knows he has some tough calls to make but insists he will not be worried about bruised egos within his ranks.
He said: "I'm not about to reveal the team at the moment because I haven't spoken to the players yet. They will be the first to know.
"It's management, it's what it's about, I'll have to make difficult decisions.
"I've made a few difficult decisions in my time at Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers and I'll do it again.
"But I have to be fair and I know that I have some tremendous players at my disposal."
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni also has some tremendous players at his disposal but still finds himself under fire after just six games in charge.
He took over the reigns from Marcello Lippi in the wake of last summer's World Cup success but just two competitive wins against Ukraine and Georgia - and a morale-sapping defeat to France - means the Group B table does not make happy reading for Italy at the moment.
Reports in the Italian press claim AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti has already been lined up to replace Donadoni and former Motherwell, Hibernian and Rangers boss McLeish can empathise with his opposite number.
"We've all been there, haven't we?" he said.
"It's a results-driven business and if you don't get the results that the public and the press demand then you're going to get it in the neck.
"It's the business we choose and we know at some stage we will face difficulties and that we have to have a thick skin."
He added: "Italy have obviously stuttered a couple of times in terms of results and maybe that is a hangover from the World Cup, I don't know.
"I know the Italian season didn't start until quite late and that was maybe a setback for them.
"From what I've seen recently, they're getting back into their stride. They beat Ukraine comfortably 2-0 in Italy and I don't think anyone should forget about that.
"The pressure is on Italy but they are top-quality players and they should be able to handle the pressure.
"But, if it can help us to go there and face a team who are a little apprehensive, of course we would take that."
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By Bettingzone.co.uk - Used with permission.
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