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Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli Confirms Plan To Build Team Around Antonio Cassano & Mario Balotelli
Cesare Prandelli claims his team's foundations are Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.
Sep 8, 2010 11:36:00 AM
By Salvatore Landolina
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has been encouraged by Antonio Cassano's sublime form, so much so that he will design the team around him and Mario Balotelli.
Cassano has earned a wave of praise from fans and critics, but most importantly the coach sees him as the archetypal player for his team.
"I hope to recover Balotelli, as the idea is to create a team around him, Cassano and a centre-forward," Prandelli told the press at Coverciano following Tuesday night's win over the Faroe Islands.
The coach was afforded the perfect start to his Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, taking maximum points from the first two games.
And while some argue that Estonia and the Faroe Islands are not the touchstone with which to be measured, Prandelli has clear views on his team's potential.
"There was a will to get back to knowing la Nazionale and relate to it. It was strange to see Italy around the world and not being applauded. Something was wrong, but now we are taking steps towards the people.
"The fans showed great enthusiasm and we repaid that."
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Cassano has earned a wave of praise from fans and critics, but most importantly the coach sees him as the archetypal player for his team.
"I hope to recover Balotelli, as the idea is to create a team around him, Cassano and a centre-forward," Prandelli told the press at Coverciano following Tuesday night's win over the Faroe Islands.
The coach was afforded the perfect start to his Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, taking maximum points from the first two games.
And while some argue that Estonia and the Faroe Islands are not the touchstone with which to be measured, Prandelli has clear views on his team's potential.
"There was a will to get back to knowing la Nazionale and relate to it. It was strange to see Italy around the world and not being applauded. Something was wrong, but now we are taking steps towards the people.
"The fans showed great enthusiasm and we repaid that."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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