Prandelli: Croatia the real test

ITALY manager Cesare Prandelli believes the big threat to his team’s progress at Euro 2012 will come from Croatia rather than Spain or Ireland.

Italy face the reigning European and world champions Spain on June 10 in Gdansk, with many people seeing that opening match in Group C as decisive. However, Prandelli says that their match against Croatia in Poznan four days later is more of a concern.

“I’ve watched them recently. They’re a talented side,” he said, in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport. “They’re quick and modern. It willdefinitely be the toughest game.” That assessment could partly be based on the timing of the matches. Italy may well need a win in that second game against Croatia and will not like the possibility of going into theirfinal game againstIreland needing to win to stay in the competition.

Prandelli also believes that the Champions League will play a big part. “Physical condition at the end of the season will be decisive. Players who get through to the final stage of the Champions may be tired, but also fired up to the maximum.” Only four of Italy’s current squad are still involved in the Champions League, compared to 15 of the Spanish. But Prandelli has concerns about the fitness of two of his strikers — Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano — and admits only Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli is currently in form.