[LaPalma]

So, I just decided to open this topic concerning the qualification for the EURO 2008 in Swiss/Austria...

[KillerMax]

Gattuso aims anger at France

Gennaro Gattuso is furious at Italy’s failure to win their opening Euro 2008 qualifier and wants to take his anger out on France next week.

“I’m livid that we weren’t able to get a victory for us and Coach Roberto Donadoni,” stated the midfielder following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Lithuania.


“There’s no such thing as an easy opponent in modern football. From now on, we have to get it into our heads that we are World Champions and that means every team will face us with extra aggression and determination.”


Donadoni is still looking for his first victory on the Azzurri bench after this draw and a 2-0 friendly defeat to Croatia.


He faces his toughest test yet – and a potentially crucial Euro 2008 qualifying game – in Paris on Wednesday evening.


“It’ll be tough in France, but the crowd won’t scare us,” insisted ‘Ringhio’ Gattuso. “It’ll already be a decisive match, even if the result against Lithuania won’t make us anxious. If anything, it increases our desire to prove who we really are to the French.”


The controversy after the World Cup Final, won by Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw and Zinedine Zidane’s dismissal for headbutting Marco Materazzi, rumbles on in some quarters and tension is expected to be very high at the Stade de France.


The Euro 2008 qualifying campaign can be followed here. France earned a comfortable 3-0 win in Georgia, while Scotland thrashed the Faroe Islands 6-0.

Football Italia