“We must fight off negative thoughts. The idea of not having won anything this year can influence the team”. This is what Cesare Prandelli, coach of the Italian team, said before Italy’s first official match. Against Estonia Italy will start their way towards Euro 2012 and, apart from depression after the World Championship, the team must overcome a negative statistic: no wins in 2010, 7 games without managing to gain the 3 points. The last win dates back to November 2009. “I’m convinced that the only way to obtain a good result is to play – said Prandelli before leaving for Tallinn – but obviously we must also be a team”. Italy’s scheme will be a 4-3-3, with Cassano and Pazzini at the front, together with Pepe. “Antonio is 100% psychologically ready”, underlined Prandelli, whose only doubt is the goalkeeper: Sirigu or Viviano?

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute