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ITALY v SCOTLAND - ITALY'S FORM FRUSTRATES CANNAVARO
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro admits the world champions are in a "delicate" state as Scotland arrive in Bari for a Euro 2008 qualifier the home side dare not lose.
But Cannavaro insists the Azzurri are determined to silence their critics by turning over the Scots on Wednesday night.
Italy have been on the end of fierce criticism from the Italian media after their slow start to qualifying.
Coach Roberto Donadoni's men have managed just two wins in four qualifying games and go into the clash at the San Nicola Stadium five points behind Group B joint leaders Scotland and France.
"This is a delicate team," said Cannavaro. "Considering the numerous criticisms we have received this week, it seems as though we have returned to the pre-World Cup atmosphere."
The match-fixing scandal in Serie A which rocked the nation last summer failed to hinder the Italians on the pitch.
They went on to lift the World Cup trophy in Berlin under the guidance of former boss Marcello Lippi.
"In Italy it's always like this," said Real Madrid man Cannavaro.
"But let's not forget that this group is always able to give its best in difficult times, when we can no longer make mistakes.
"To be five or six points behind the leaders annoys me, I really didn't think we would find ourselves in this position at this stage.
"But the truth is we are four teams competing for two places."
A defeat against in-form Scotland could come as a major blow to Donadoni's hopes of a long stay in the job.
Rumours in Italy have linked AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti as a possible replacement for the under-fire coach.
However, Cannavaro has come out in defence of Donadoni, a former midfield colleague of Ancelotti at Milan.
"Before the World Cup even Lippi was under pressure and criticism," said Cannavaro.
"Donadoni is in the right place, who else would we have in his position?"
Failure to qualify for Euro 2008 would be a shuddering blow for the Azzurri, who suffered that situation before in 1984, having previously won the World Cup two years earlier.
But Cannavaro is convinced the current side will not suffer the same fate.
"Let's not forget that the 1984 national team didn't win any games in qualifying," said Cannavaro.
"It's a different situation right now, because we really want to go to Euro 2008.
"We want to get the double, just like France did in 1998 and 2000. We have 12 world champions in this national team, full of enthusiasm."
Donadoni will be hoping to welcome back goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was unable to train yesterday after struggling with a stomach bug.
Should Buffon not pass a late fitness test, Torino goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will take his place.
Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta has recovered from a muscular injury and will play alongside Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale, in support of lone striker Luca Toni.
By Bettingzone.co.uk - Used with permission.
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