With just one game left to go in the group stages and after two 1-1 draws, Italy are in serious danger of facing the ignominy of joining France on an early plane back home, without even making the knock-out stages.
It is an uncomfortably precarious position for the holders and one that full-back Gianluca Zambrotta can not even bear to think about.
“We haven’t thought about it and we’re not thinking about it,” he said. “If it happens we’ll think about it then, it doesn’t even enter our heads. We’re looking at the glass half full. It’s not the first time we’ve had this type of game, we know the importance and we’ll give it everything.”
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss admitted the side’s chances were not great, but pledged to do their best against the Azzurri.
“We’ll give everything in our last match against Italy,” he said. “My favourite [for the group] has always been Paraguay. It’s a good learning opportunity. We are very happy that we got to the World Cup.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ