Prandelli plays down Serbia pressure

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli denied on Monday that opponents Serbia face a must win match here on Tuesday to rescue their Euro 2012 qualification hopes.

Serbia are under pressure following their 3-1 home defeat to minnows Estonia on Friday and a defeat at the Marassi stadium would see them trail Group C leaders Italy by six points.

And they will also still have to face tricky away fixtures in Estonia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland while trying to play catch-up.

But Prandelli believes that it is not just Serbia who are under pressure to win on Tuesday.

“I don’t think you can make a definitive judgement on any result but obviously whoever wins this match will get not only the three points but also a psychological advantage,” he said.

“I’ve watched them (Serbia) in several matches, they’re real players and a real team.

“We’re looking to make our character count, to improve in every game. It will be a tough match.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for Serbia, they have players who can decide a match on their own, they’re very proud, but we also have the ability to hurt them.”

Whatever he thinks of Serbia, Prandelli was confident enough to announce his team 24 hours before kick-off.

Emiliano Viviano will start in goal with Gianluca Zambrotta and Domenico Criscito flanking Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci in the centre of defence.

Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Angelo Palombo will line up in midfield with Stefano Mauri and Antonio Cassano supporting lone striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

That means there will be three Sampdoria players and one from Genoa playing in front of their home crowd.

But Prandelli denied he did that specifically to encourage the home support, although last month he picked three Fiorentina players for the match against Faroe Islands in Florence, and none this time.

“Pazzini and Palombo have been in every squad I’ve picked, they’re part of the squad and the fact we’re playing here didn’t enter my thoughts,” said Prandelli.

The coach once again talked about the threat posed by Juventus forward Milos Krasic and admitted that he had watched the winger when he was Fiorentina coach.

“I know him very well because I watched him in many matches. He has great potential, if we make mistakes he’ll be able to get at us, he keeps running, he can beat you one-on-one, he’s a great player,” he added.

“We’ll try to keep the midfield and defensive lines close together so we can double up on him.”