Crunch time for Wales

By Tony Rees & Paolo Menicucci

Wales manager Mark Hughes is under no illusions as to the size of his team's task in what could prove a decisive UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 9 qualifier in Italy on Saturday.

Qualification chance
A victory for Wales would leave them just one point away from the finals, with two home games to come, and even a draw would keep them two points clear and in the driving seat. However, a home win would send Italy to the top of the group.

'So much expectancy'
Hughes has admitted the game is "the biggest match of [his] managerial career so far". He added: "There is so much expectancy in the country right now. I have been watching it build over the last 12 months. Children are coming with their parents to our matches - these are the new generation of Wales fans."

Italian victory
Wales last qualified for a major tournament in 1958 but showed their mettle with an impressive 2-1 win at home against Italy in October. A 1-0 defeat in Serbia and Montenegro last month was their first setback in the group.

Bellamy hope
A positive scan on a swollen knee means that Craig Bellamy - who scored the winner against Italy - should be fit, and Hughes is understandably pleased. "Craig should make it," Hughes said. "He feels OK and the specialist he saw said his knee was OK. Craig scored a great goal against Italy last year, they will know he is a threat to them."

Gabbidon out
However, defender Danny Gabbidon has a jarred heel, and may be replaced by Andy Melville or Adrian Williams. Should Bellamy not make the team, Simon Davies, who also scored against Italy, will fill the Newcastle United FC player's wide role with Jason Koumas or Robert Earnshaw filling in midfield.

Trapattoni change
Meanwhile, Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni looks set to change from a 4-2-3-1 formation to 4-3-1-2 due to Francesco Totti's hip injury. Alessandro Del Piero is expected to play just behind a front two of Filippo Inzaghi - in for Totti - and Christian Vieri.

'Good response'
"Vieri and Inzaghi can play well together," said Trapattoni. "I know Pippo [Inzaghi] really well and he has always scored plenty of goals. I just wanted to check if we were balanced with Del Piero playing behind two strikers and I had a good response in training."

'Extremely important'
Inzaghi said: "We have different qualities and we have always linked up well together. This match is extremely important and if we play as we can, we will beat them." Even if Italy secure their sixth consecutive win of 2003, they will still face a tough task on Wednesday when they visit Serbia and Montenegro, while Wales welcome Finland.

Finland chance
The Finns themselves can keep their play-off hopes alive if they win in Azerbaijan on Saturday. Azerbaijan have secured four points against Serbia and Montenegro in their last two games and Finland will need other results to go their way even if they pick up six points this week.

Captain's injury
Finland travel without captain Jari Litmanen who has failed to recover from an achilles problem. Coach Antti Muurinen said: "We will see if Litmanen can join the team after the Azerbaijan game and possibly play against Wales next week."

Striker suspended
Azerbaijan are without key striker Gurban Gurbanov, scorer of three of their four qualifying goals, due to a back injury, while defender Aslan Kerimov is suspended.