Reigning World Champions Italy have admitted they are worried going into their last group match against Slovakia tonight.
Reigning World Champions Italy have admitted they are worried going into their last group match against Slovakia tonight. The Azzurri are worried that they could be eliminated from the quadrennial event, which they won last time, in the very first round given their poor performance this far.
Italy have managed just two draws against Paraguay and New Zealand and they must beat the Slovakians if they are to make it to the Round of 16.
"We're worried," said midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who scored the only field goal for the Italians in the World Cup opener against Paraguay. "I said it before and I'll say it again. If we don't make it past the first round it would be a failure. If we can't win we don't deserve to advance."
"We're Italy and we ought to be able to win one of these three games ufffd otherwise it would only be fair to go home."
Veteran defender Zabrotta believes Italy's elimination from the tournament is unthinkable. "A World Cup exit? Honestly I don't even want to think about that.
"We know that it's either in or out, but we are used to these situations and all the criticism. We have to think positively and without fear. We think that we can do it, and we need a bit of luck too," said Zambrotta.u00a0
u00a0History however is with the Italians given they had also drawn all their first two group games en route to winning the title in 1982. Probably that's the reason coach Marcelo Lippi is confident Italy's campaign here is far from over.
"Don't be surprised if this team starts to reel off some good results. You count the horses at the end of the race," he said.
