Sick Sheva out of Italy clashAndriy Shevchenko will not be able to face Italy in tonight’s Euro 2008 qualifier, announced Oleg Blokhin.
“He has a high temperature and won’t recover before Saturday evening,†commented the Ukraine Coach.
“We hope to have him back for the next match with Scotland. Romanchuk has the same problem and has already gone home, while Voronin’s temperature has dropped, but he hasn’t been able to train with the squad yet.â€
The flu virus that has struck the Ukraine camp ahead of tonight’s crucial qualifying game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome has robbed Shevchenko of the opportunity to play in Italy again after his £30m summer move to Chelsea.
The former Milan hitman has been suffering from a high temperature for several days and is 99 per cent sure to miss this meeting with the Azzurri.
Nonetheless, Coach Blokhin is confident his men can do better than their 3-0 World Cup quarter-final drubbing at the hands of Italy.
“I don’t look back, I only ever look forward. We are coming to Rome in order to win, any other attitude and I would be in the wrong profession.â€
It could be argued the Ukraine have every reason to feel prepared, as the Azzurri are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw with Lithuania and a 3-1 loss in France.
“I certainly didn’t expect Italy to have only one point after two games, as they are full of world class players. I don’t see one particular danger man, we must try to limit the whole team.â€
Gianluca Zambrotta opened the scoring in Germany and Luca Toni netted a brace to seal the 3-0 result.
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This post has been edited by arivanjj: Oct 7 2006, 03:43 AM