Don: Why I didn’t sign Tuesday 25 March, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Italy boss Roberto Donadoni has explained why he didn’t pen a new deal ahead of Euro 2008.
The former Livorno Coach had been expected to extend his contract, which expires two weeks after the end of this summer’s European Championships, ahead of the trip to Austria and Switzerland.
However, negotiations broke down amidst talk of a rescission clause should the Azzurri fail to reach the semi-finals and Don will discuss his future after the tournament.
“There’s not much to explain,” Donadoni insisted. “I think highly of Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete and I think he feels the same way about me.
“However, this kind of recognition has to be agreed by both parties. I have always tried to earn respect with hard work and dedication and it’s the same with Italy otherwise I wouldn’t still be here.
“I didn’t sign the new contract because I don’t like that kind of agreement and I didn’t feel I could accept it.
“It’s not certain that I will stay after the European Championships, but I will still show the same grit and determination, even without an agreement.
“Things are seen very differently abroad. For example, the Dutch Coach Marco Van Basten has already signed with Ajax after Euro 2008. Imagine if I had already taken another job – you would have gone mad.”
Don also looked ahead to Wednesday evening’s friendly against Spain – one of the favourites in Austria and Switzerland.
“They are a very strong side, like Portugal , who we played in our last friendly,” he said.
“They have lots of top-quality players. Maybe history hasn’t paid testament to their strength, but they are very good.”
Casiraghi: Don't throw it away Tuesday 25 March, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pierluigi Casiraghi is demanding focus from his Azzurrini side in this afternoon’s European qualifier against Azerbaijan.
Italy’s Under-21 side lead Group 1 by a point from Croatia with a game in hand and are close to securing their place at Euro 2009.
While Azerbaijan are the whipping boys of the Group with just one point to their name, Casiraghi isn’t taking the trip to the Tofig Bahramov Stadium lightly.
“We have a small advantage over Croatia and we have to take advantage of it,” he stressed.
“With a win against Azerbaijan we can relax going into the last two games in September against Greece and Croatia.
“But tomorrow evening will be played in special conditions due to the time difference, the long journey and a pitch that isn’t the world’s best.
“I’ve told the lads that in these games motivation is what matters and we can’t throw away a year of work.”
Atalanta’s Daniele Capelli has been brought in to replace Marco Rossi, while Milan young gun Alberto Paloschi comes in for Treviso’s Andrea Russotto.
Casiraghi is set to start an attacking trident with Empoli's Sebastian Giovinco and Villarreal star Giuseppe Rossi behind Cagliari marksman Robert Acquafresca.
Tonight’s qualifier kicks of at 5pm in Baku.
Toni eyes Euro glory Tuesday 25 March, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Italy prepare to face Spain on Wednesday evening, Azzurri hitman Luca Toni sets his sights on glory at this summer’s European Championships.
Roberto Donadoni’s men have the weight of expectations on their shoulders as they look to add the European title to World Cup 2006 and become the greatest Italian side of all-time.
However, the draw wasn’t kind to the Azzurri and they have to negotiate France, Romania and Holland in their Group.
“It’s natural that we are amongst the favourites,” Toni explained. “This is a special season for me and one of my objectives is Euro 2008.
“But it will be a very difficult Group – for me it is the “Group of Death” – and then we will probably have to take on Spain.
“We will go to the European Championships with the same target as usual – to win. We are world champions and that gives us an even greater obligation to go for victory.”
As for the former Fiorentina man’s personal targets, he remains characteristically modest.
“I just want to be part of the squad and to do that I want to carry on playing well at Bayern Munich,” Toni insisted.
“I don’t consider myself a world star and perhaps I arrived late in the world of calcio, but I have two trophies that can’t be attributed to fortune – the Golden Boot in 2006 with 31 Serie A goals and the World Cup where I played and scored.”
Toni concluded by discussing the friendly rivalry with Bayern teammates Willy Sagnol and Franck Ribery, who will be representing France in Austria and Switzerland.
“Willy joked about how lucky we were in the World Cup Final, but nothing can change the fact that we won the trophy," he said.
“Whether they like it or not, we are the champions of the world.”
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იტალიური ფეხბურთის ბრიგადა, FORZA ITALIA! La Parte Decima...
