Del Neri wary of Rovers

JUVENTUS coach Luigi Del Neri has told his side to heed the warning of Italy’s World Cup struggles when they travel to Ireland next week.

“The next round is not a given because we’ll be playing 11 against 11,” he said.

“We saw at the World Cup with New Zealand that they could create physical problems. To face a tough team from a tough league like the Irish one – nothing is already decided.”

Del Neri is confident Rovers’ sharpness will not prove too much of an advantage.

“We will have a month’s work by then and, even though they have played some games more, we’ll be ready,” he said.

“I like the attitude of the players, the conviction, the application and attention they’re putting into training.”

The Hoops’ excitement at the upcoming tie may be tempered somewhat by the news the return leg will not go ahead at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin because it has been booked by U2.

The Dublin rock band are beginning the latest European leg of their ongoing 360° Tour at the venue on August 6. That is the day after the scheduled date of the second leg of the qualifier and the band will be in residence at the venue by then.

The match will instead take place at the 19,000 capacity Stadio Alberto Braglia in Modena.