Ahead of Italy’s encounter with Spain on Wednesday evening, Azzurri head coach Cesare Prandelli has claimed that the game will be more than an average friendly.
The two European nations meet at Atletico Madrid’s Estadio Vincente Calderon, with the match set to kick off at 22.00 CET, and the build up to the fixture has been somewhat tainted with controversy.
The former Fiorentina boss was criticised for dropping Roma’s Daniele De Rossi after his three-match ban for a punch on Mauro Icardi, with questions being raised about his code of ethics, while Juventus complained that Giorgio Chiellini was called up without his fitness levels being checked.
“Our energy should be focussed on the squad and the project for the World Cup, not in pointless controversy, I already feel wiped out,” he told reporters present at his press conference.
“Will the code of ethics still apply if it’s on the last day of the season? I doubt any top player would risk doing something so silly.”
The 56-year-old’s contract with the Azzurri is set to expire after the summer’s World Cup, and it is still unclear whether or not he will stay on as coach of the national team.
“Everybody knows that we are preparing for an extraordinary competition, and when the World Cup begins everyone will be behind us, waving their little flags. It’s all to be expected.
“As for my future, the matter is still open, but we have not made any decisions yet.”
Reports suggested that Prandelli didn’t want to face Spain in this international break, and was keen for the friendly to be called off.
“Spain are World and European Champions, so we are running many risks, but these are games that can give us a boost in terms of our growth and character.
“I will ask the lads to give the best that they can, we must have character to attack them with many players all over the field, and counter them move for move.
“If we were to focus solely on defence and counter-attack for 90 minutes, we would suffer a lot – our objective for tomorrow is to keep a high line.
“I’d say Spain are favourites to win the World Cup, along with Argentina and Germany.”
Ciro Immobile and Gabriel Paletta received their first call-ups to the senior side for the friendy against Spain, while Roma striker Mattia Destro returned after a long absence.
“You can see what players are made of in difficult moments.
“This isn’t an ordinary friendly, so tomorrow I will evaluate the growth of, for example, Alessio Cerci, who will be playing from the first minute.
“Oriundi are important, as for me they are new Italians. I will also tell you a statistic – in the latest round of Serie A, only 38 per cent of the players were Italian.
“As for the system, there is time to experiment, but my plan is to play with four midfielders and two forwards.”
He was then asked if he was concerned about the players’ fitness levels, with the World Cup quickly approaching.
“If we really need to worry, then it’ll be in April after the physical tests.
“I have faith, though. I’m waiting for Giuseppe Rossi, but there will be no additional time added on. To be part of the squad which will go to Brazil, he’ll have to play a few games before the tests, otherwise it’ll be tough.”
Follow Anthony Alborino on Twitter: @anthonyalborino
