Panucci: 'We'll show our class'

Christian Panucci insists Italy will prove why they are world champions when they run out at Hampden for their crunch Euro 2008 clash with Scotland this evening.

A win for the Azzurri will guarantee them a place in Austria and Switzerland next year, and a draw will make it essentially a formality, while the Scots are seeking three points to ensure they reach the championships.

Italian football has been thrown into chaos after Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri’s death sparked fan riots in the country.

But Roma defender Panucci insists the national team are ready to put troubled times behind them.

He said: “It has been a very difficult week for everyone after what happened. But now we have an opportunity to prove our character here and to show what we are about.

“It is pleasing to come here in a position to achieve something great from the qualification campaign and we must remember that.

“We cannot afford to be anything below our best because that could hand things easily to our rivals.”

Panucci predicts a tough encounter against Alex McLeish’s side and reckons the only way they can cope with the cauldron atmosphere inside Hampden is to silence the crowd.

He added: “We respect Scotland but we are going to give it 100% against them.”

Meanwhile, defender and captain Fabio Cannavaro is prepared for the threat of James McFadden, if – as seems likely – Alex McLeish opts for the Everton striker up front.

The Real Madrid man said: “McFadden is a very good player and we have considered him in our preparation.

“But we are not even considering failure and we are looking for a good start and maybe even an early goal which would be great.

“We will need to concentrate and focus on the job, but we are ready for the match and that is the most important things.”

Striker Vincenzo Iaquinta admitted that overcoming Scotland’s strength in front of their passionate home fans could be a problem.

Iaquinta played back in 2005 when substitute defender Fabio Grosso scored a late equaliser to give Italy a 1-1 draw with Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden.

“Scotland are fantastic at home with their crowd behind them and they produce high level performances here,” he said.

“But this will be a different type of match to the last time as both sides are in a different situation.”