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Armenia is an opponent that deserves the maximum of respect : Cesare Prandelli
09:55, 20 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenia -Italy is the most
expected game in Mundial 2014 qualifying round for Armenian football
fans. Armenpress had an interview with ''Gli Azzurri'' chief coach
Cesare Prandelli.
-What information do you have about Armenian national football team
and Armenian football in general?
-The Armenian team made huge progress during the last three seasons
and particularly the last one when they just missed to qualify for
Euro 2012 after a dramatic play-off against the Republic of Ireland.
Globalization and a general technical improvement among the
continental competitions helped its football tradition to bounce back
and arousing.
-Your opinion about Armenian National team?
- It's a tough team, especially when to be played at its home ground:
solid on many points of view, well organized and balanced tactically,
provided of plenty options in the offensive area. Armenia it's an
opponent that deserve the maximum of respect from anybody else's team.
-What Armenian footballers do you know?
- Henrik Mkhitaryan is the most talented player, his vision of the
game allows him to play both as midfielder or forward with same
quality and efficiency. With him I'd say Marcos Pizzelli, a very
skilled forward, and veteran defender Sargis Hovsepyan, which is a
pillar into the Armenian defensive system and a reckoned leader
moreover.
-In your mind who are the favorites of B group? And what for you favor them?
- To be honest Group B is a very balanced pool by hosting three Euro
2012 finalists as Italy, Denmark and Czech Republic, and two rampant
teams as Armenia and Bulgaria. We are all five in a tough concurrency
to qualify directly to the Final phase, I'm convinced that home wins
will be crucial for everybody.
-Are you satisfied with 2-2 recorded score with Bulgaria and 2-0 with Malta?
- I'm slightly satisfied. Our aim was to finish this first round with
6 points, but in the same time we were aware of those difficulties
Italy should face in the early stages of the season. Anyway we're top
of the ranking with Bulgaria but there's still a lot of job to be done
despite being Europe's runners up. We've took on board any newcomers
after the Euro 2012 expedition and then works are still in progress
looking forward to find out a new identity of play.
-Your expectations from coming game with Armenia due October 12?
- Italy compete to win its Group as our opponents do: to achieve it we
have to demonstrate our previous lessons are been learnt. This means
to be more fit and get the chance to dare more on the pitch by
displaying intensity on our football style. It won't be easy to play
abroad in a hot ambiance such Yerevan is and against a tough team as
Armenia, but competition is competition and I'm confident my team has
the right attitude to comply with.
09:55, 20 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenia -Italy is the most
expected game in Mundial 2014 qualifying round for Armenian football
fans. Armenpress had an interview with ''Gli Azzurri'' chief coach
Cesare Prandelli.
-What information do you have about Armenian national football team
and Armenian football in general?
-The Armenian team made huge progress during the last three seasons
and particularly the last one when they just missed to qualify for
Euro 2012 after a dramatic play-off against the Republic of Ireland.
Globalization and a general technical improvement among the
continental competitions helped its football tradition to bounce back
and arousing.
-Your opinion about Armenian National team?
- It's a tough team, especially when to be played at its home ground:
solid on many points of view, well organized and balanced tactically,
provided of plenty options in the offensive area. Armenia it's an
opponent that deserve the maximum of respect from anybody else's team.
-What Armenian footballers do you know?
- Henrik Mkhitaryan is the most talented player, his vision of the
game allows him to play both as midfielder or forward with same
quality and efficiency. With him I'd say Marcos Pizzelli, a very
skilled forward, and veteran defender Sargis Hovsepyan, which is a
pillar into the Armenian defensive system and a reckoned leader
moreover.
-In your mind who are the favorites of B group? And what for you favor them?
- To be honest Group B is a very balanced pool by hosting three Euro
2012 finalists as Italy, Denmark and Czech Republic, and two rampant
teams as Armenia and Bulgaria. We are all five in a tough concurrency
to qualify directly to the Final phase, I'm convinced that home wins
will be crucial for everybody.
-Are you satisfied with 2-2 recorded score with Bulgaria and 2-0 with Malta?
- I'm slightly satisfied. Our aim was to finish this first round with
6 points, but in the same time we were aware of those difficulties
Italy should face in the early stages of the season. Anyway we're top
of the ranking with Bulgaria but there's still a lot of job to be done
despite being Europe's runners up. We've took on board any newcomers
after the Euro 2012 expedition and then works are still in progress
looking forward to find out a new identity of play.
-Your expectations from coming game with Armenia due October 12?
- Italy compete to win its Group as our opponents do: to achieve it we
have to demonstrate our previous lessons are been learnt. This means
to be more fit and get the chance to dare more on the pitch by
displaying intensity on our football style. It won't be easy to play
abroad in a hot ambiance such Yerevan is and against a tough team as
Armenia, but competition is competition and I'm confident my team has
the right attitude to comply with.