Prandelli frets over lack of match practice
Reuters - Monday 29 August 2011, 18:07
ROME - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli
has labelled the players' strike an own goal and said he is
worried about his squad's lack of match practice.
Italy face Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands
and Slovenia in the next week with many of their squad yet to
play a competitive match this season.
The Serie A season, which starts later than most in Europe,
was further delayed at the weekend when the players went on
strike and refused to play the opening round of matches.
"The strike has been an own goal on everyone's part,"
Prandelli told reporters. "We hoped that at the weekend they
could have played, given that there are now 10 days to discuss
things.
"They announced an agreement on December 8 last year and I don't
know what has changed in those months."
The Italian Players Union (AIC) called its members out on
Friday after Lega Serie A, representing the first division
clubs, failed to sign an agreement over players' rights that was
reached last December and had narrowly averted a strike then.
Italy visit the Faroe Islands on Friday and host Slovenia
four days later in Euro Group C which they lead with 16 points
from six games, five ahead of Slovenia.
Even the unrated Faroes worried Prandelli, whose side beat
Spain 2-1 in a friendly earlier this month.
"Everyone thinks that a win is in the bag, but in reality it
depends on how we address the match. The lack of matches worries
me," said Prandelli.
"I'd be even more worried if we had to face a big team such
as France."