Italy confident as qualifiers begin
Friday, September 3, 2004
Article summary
Six members of Italy's Olympic bronze medal-winning squad are in their U21 side as they begin their title defence.
Article body
Optimistic note
The Italians face Norway in Trapani, Sicily with a likely starting lineup featuring six members of the Azzurri's bronze medal-winning squad at the Athens Olympics last month. Of the side that beat Serbia and Montenegro in Germany in June to win the U21 crown, coach Claudio Gentile has lost key striker Alberto Gilardino to the senior squad yet he sounded an optimistic note as he prepared for tonight's opening Group 5 qualifier.
Winning tradition
"The squad at my disposal is, in basic terms, better than the one I had two years ago, with talented players and a stronger spine," he said. Playmaker Alberto Aquilani is the only doubt for Gentile, who, in Gilardino's absence, has entrusted Rolando Bianchi and Giampaolo Pazzini with the task of leading the attack. Marco Donadel will wear the captain's armband as Italy start out in a competition where they have a winning tradition - five of the last seven editions have ended with an Italian triumph.
Finalists in San Marino
Of the other 15 fixtures tonight, Serbia and Montenegro, beaten finalists in Bochum, will visit San Marino, while the two semi-finalists, Portugal and Sweden, take on Latvia and Malta respectively. Two more ties will follow tomorrow: Russia v Slovakia and Slovenia v Moldova.
Last month
The qualifying programme began last month with Slovakia beating Luxembourg and Romania overcoming Finland - both by 1-0 scorelines - while F.Y.R. Macedonia defeated Armenia 4-0.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers
3 September 2004
* Matches to be played on 4 September
