Donadoni: Azzurri facing ‘difficult’ clashes

ITALY coach Roberto Donadoni believes that none of the Azzurri’s opponents in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup have a great football tradition.

Donadoni, whose team will be defending the World Cup won under his predecessor Marcello Lippi when qualification commences after Euro 2008, saw the champions placed alongside the Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria, Georgia, Cyprus and Montenegro in yesterday’s draw.

Donadoni said: “Bulgaria, Ireland, Georgia and Montenegro are nations that don’t have a great football tradition but they are still difficult teams.”

Donadoni, who played against Ireland in the 1990 World Cup, believes Italy’s biggest threat will come from Bulgaria. “Bulgaria is probably the main contender,” he said. “Montenegro are difficult opponents. And let’s not even talk about Ireland. We know Georgia, having faced them in the Euro 2008 qualifier.”

The last time the Republic met Italy in competitive action was the 1994 World Cup in America, when Ray Houghton scored the winner at Giants Stadium.

He said: “The reality is we’re a team in transition. We’re waiting for a new manager and they’ll be happy with that although there are some tough games.

“We might not have the strength in depth of a nation like England but we’ll give it our best go. If we finish second it’ll have been a very good campaign.”