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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenia –Italy is the most expected game in Mundial 2014 qualifying round for Armenian football fans. Armenpress had an interview with ''Gli Azzurri'' chief coach Cesare Prandelli.
-What information do you have about Armenian national football team and Armenian football in general?
-The Armenian team made huge progress during the last three seasons and particularly the last one when they just missed to qualify for Euro 2012 after a dramatic play-off against the Republic of Ireland. Globalization and a general technical improvement among the continental competitions helped its football tradition to bounce back and arousing.
-Your opinion about Armenian National team?
- It’s a tough team, especially when to be played at its home ground: solid on many points of view, well organized and balanced tactically, provided of plenty options in the offensive area. Armenia it’s an opponent that deserve the maximum of respect from anybody else’s team.
-What Armenian footballers do you know?
– Henrik Mkhitaryan is the most talented player, his vision of the game allows him to play both as midfielder or forward with same quality and efficiency. With him I’d say Marcos Pizzelli, a very skilled forward, and veteran defender Sargis Hovsepyan, which is a pillar into the Armenian defensive system and a reckoned leader moreover.
-In your mind who are the favorites of B group? And what for you favor them?
– To be honest Group B is a very balanced pool by hosting three Euro 2012 finalists as Italy, Denmark and Czech Republic, and two rampant teams as Armenia and Bulgaria. We are all five in a tough concurrency to qualify directly to the Final phase, I’m convinced that home wins will be crucial for everybody.
-Are you satisfied with 2-2 recorded score with Bulgaria and 2-0 with Malta?
– I’m slightly satisfied. Our aim was to finish this first round with 6 points, but in the same time we were aware of those difficulties Italy should face in the early stages of the season. Anyway we’re top of the ranking with Bulgaria but there’s still a lot of job to be done despite being Europe’s runners up. We’ve took on board any newcomers after the Euro 2012 expedition and then works are still in progress looking forward to find out a new identity of play.
-Your expectations from coming game with Armenia due October 12?
– Italy compete to win its Group as our opponents do: to achieve it we have to demonstrate our previous lessons are been learnt. This means to be more fit and get the chance to dare more on the pitch by displaying intensity on our football style. It won’t be easy to play abroad in a hot ambiance such Yerevan is and against a tough team as Armenia, but competition is competition and I’m confident my team has the right attitude to comply with.