Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has stated that there are five or six national teams stronger than the Azzurri as the start of the World Cup edges nearer.
This is reflected in the World Cup betting odds, with hosts Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium and France all more highly fancied than Italy.
The former Fiorentina also weighed in on several topics related to Serie A, including Juventus winning the Scudetto and the events before the Coppa Italia final.
“There are five or six stronger and more equipped teams [than Italy],” he told Radio Anch’Io Lo Sport.
“We are sixth or seventh and our final position will depend on many factors.
“I would like to face Brazil, Argentina, Spain and the other big national teams with courage. I want to see a squad with a precise idea of football.
“Opening match against England? There will be a lot of pressure and tension, the impact will be hard.
“We will have to be prepared mentally as England will have the same problems.
“Playing in Amazonia will be fascinating, it will be the first time and probably also the last. We will arrive physically prepared in Brazil.
“I am happy that the League allowed us to do the recent mini-camp as we are ahead of schedule.
“Last year we struggled in the Confederations Cup. Now we have some important data and the possibility to work immediately.
“Soon we will start working on the players in a personalized way, this is an advantage for us.
“The Serie A? Juventus managed to win a very well deserved title despite the pressures. The excellent performance is also due to the great season from Roma.
“Our football, on a technical standpoint, is not as bad as some people might want you to believe.
“Juventus and Roma play an interesting football, also Napoli and Fiorentina proved to have an established playing style.
“Our football has found itself back, the first four of the table play in a purposeful way.”
He commented on the violence that took place in Rome before Fiorentina-Napoli on Saturday.
“We must not look away, we must follow the path of dialogue.
“The stadiums must be a meeting place, not an arena of threats. Only the game has to be the protagonist.
“Football has an incredible mouthpiece, but the problem is related to the whole county, we need to improve and grow.
“When there was the Lazio away game in Europa League, their supporters had some troubles in Poland.
“In that moment, I thought that sooner or later somebody will stop us, we need to hit rock bottom before climbing up.
“This is who we are, we need to reflect and involve the whole nation. Otherwise, UEFA or FIFA will indeed apply some punishments.
“We are not able to self-discipline. For the Coppa Italia final in Rome I expected the speaker to make an announcement to explain what was going on and what was being decided.”
