MX23RW : Saturday, November 30 09:25:50| >> :600:258748:258748:
[monks data]
Italy national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Sep 10, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Czech Republic national football team

2-1

Chiellini (52'), Balotelli (56' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kozak (19')
Kolar (89')

Cesare Prandelli wants World Cup spot secured

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli challenges his side to secure World Cup qualification with victory over the Czech Republic in Turin tonight.

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has challenged his side to remain consistent until the end and secure World Cup qualification with victory over the Czech Republic tonight.

The Azzurri will confirm their spot in next summer's South American showpiece with maximum points against the Czechs after edging Bulgaria 1-0 in Palermo last Friday.

Prandelli has conceded that he expected a much sterner test in a group featuring Denmark and Armenia, but remains adamant that he respects the Czechs and expects a tough test in Turin this evening.

He told reporters: "This is an important game for us, we know that a good result will see us at the World Cup.

"We have great respect for the opponents though. We know they can attack the spaces well and have a midfield of excellent quality. We'll have to be focused for the entire game.

"We never thought we'd be in this position in the group at the start of the campaign. The Eastern teams are a lot stronger than they were a few years ago. But we have built this qualification on consistency."

Luca Antonelli and Ignazio Abate have joined a lengthy injury list for Italy after picking up injuries against Bulgaria, but Pablo Osvaldo is back from suspension and fighting for a recall.

ID:103944: cacheID:103944:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2499:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alberto Gilardino #11 of Italy scores his opening goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group B match between Italy and Bulgaria at Stadio Renzo Barbera on September 6, 2013
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Italy 1-0 Bulgaria - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!