Salerno states Azzurrini ambitions
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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For a nation that has won so many honours at senior and Under-21 level, Italy's record in junior competition is pretty modest, but Pasquale Salerno has high hopes after leading them to their first U17 finals in four years.
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For a nation that has won so many honours at senior and Under-21 level, Italy's record in junior competition is pretty modest.
Mixed fortunes
Since winning the inaugural UEFA European Under-16 Championship in 1982, Italy have not claimed another title (their 1987 success was wiped out as they fielded an ineligible player), and since the new U17 competition began in 2001/02, they have only made it past the group stage in 2005, when they finished third as hosts. However, for the first time since that year thay have reached the finals, which begin next Wednesday in Germany, and coach Pasquale Salerno is hopeful their fortunes can improve.
New hope
"We have had some difficulties in qualifying with the U17 teams," Salerno told uefa.com. "And we hope that starting this year we will be able to qualify more often. Hopefully we will be able to work with these players, and will work with the association to improve then. For the first time we have in our team five or six players already in the reserve sides of Serie A teams, which is important for us."
Group rivals
The Azzurrini begin their Group A bid against holders Spain, before facing other former champions in the shape of France and Switzerland, and Salerno, who took over as U17 coach last summer, knows they were never likely to have an easy section. "All the teams were very big for us, whoever it was it would have been the same," he said. "They are all good teams. Spain have won the last two editions and France have won before. We don't qualify every year so it's important to perform here."
World Cup aim
As one of only two nations in Germany, along with the hosts, to have not played in a European U17 final, there is plenty for Italy to aim for. Not least as they have a chance to emulate what the 2005 side achieved; qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in Nigeria this autumn. "It will be a great experience for us and our players, especially because six out of the eight teams here will go on to the World Cup," Salerno said.