Friday, November 09, 2007

Donadoni "calm" ahead of Scotland showdown

Italy boss Roberto Donadoni insists he is "calmly" preparing for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland next weekend.

The match is likely to make or break the Azzurri's qualifying campaign for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.

Victory over the second-placed Scots on November 17 would ensure Italy a place at the finals, and a draw would leave them only needing a point against the Faroe Islands four days later to book their place.

Defeat could mean the unthinkable for the world champions: missing out next summer.

Scotland boss Alex McLeish, who named his squad for the showdown yesterday, believes the Azzurri are under greater pressure than his side, who will have home advantage at Hampden Park.

But Donadoni said: "I am waiting calmly. I am preparing the things that need to be done. We will face this game with the maximum concentration and focus."

An Italy victory would also confirm France's spot in the finals. But anything less, would mean Raymond Domenech's side will travel to Ukraine in their final game needing a result.

Donadoni will name his squad for the double-header on Sunday evening.

Scotland squad to face Italy on November 17:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland), David Marshall (Norwich City), Allan McGregor (Rangers).
Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (West Ham United), Alan Hutton (Rangers), Jay McEveley (Derby County), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United), David Weir (Rangers).
Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Lee McCulloch (Rangers), Stephen Pearson (Derby County), Barry Robson (Dundee United), Gary Teale (Derby County).
Forwards: Craig Beattie (West Bromwich Albion), Kris Boyd (Rangers), James McFadden (Everton), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa), Kenny Miller (Derby County), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham City).

France squad to face Ukraine on November 21:
Goalkeepers: Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Mickael Landreau (Paris Saint-Germain), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux).
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Francois Clerc (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyonnais), Lilian Thuram (Barcelona).
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Arsenal), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Olympique de Marseille), Jerome Rothen (Paris Saint-Germain), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyonnais), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).

Source: UEFA

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