Prandelli laments strike ´own goal´

Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli has branded the Serie A strike an ‘own goal’ for football in his country.

The start of Serie A was delayed this week due to a dispute between the players’ union and clubs’ union over the collective bargaining agreement.

Earlier this month Prandelli had expressed his optimism that a strike would be avoided, but now sai it was a blow for the sport that the parties could not reach an agreement.

“It was a mistake made by everyone. I hoped until the end that they were going to play,” Prandelli said.

“There was a lot of time to discuss the issue, but now we’re going to play an international game, it was definitely an own goal from everyone.”

“The last thing I had heard was on December 8, when they announced the agreement. I don’t know what has changed over the last few months.”

Prandelli also believed that although it was not the best preparation for Italy’s Euro 2012 qualifiers next week, his players would still recognise the importance of their matches with the Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

Cagliari defender Davide Astori and Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino return to the Italy squad after being left out of the team which faced Spain earlier this month.

Manchester City attacker Mario Balotelli got a call-up despite his substitute role at Manchester City, while AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano has been included as well after his superb performance against the 2010 World Cup winners.

“I’m focused on the games we’re playing now,” Prandelli said. “Obviously I hoped I would find a group of players more trained and having already played a competitive game already, but that’s not a problem because we know how important these games are.”

“I am a coach who only has to think at what to do with his team, I cannot propose something, no proposal will be useful at the moment.”

“Months ago we said it was better to use common sense and to calm the argument. There are right moments to negotiate, but also moments when you need respect.”

“We know it’s not the happiest moment for Italian football. September is going to be a difficult month, but I’ve already talked about it with the guys and I hope together we can improve their physical condition that could have been better with a game already played.”

Italy have collected 16 points from six games in Group C. Two wins in the first week of September will seal qualification for Euro 2012 in Poland-Ukraine.