SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 2 hrs 22 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Mar 23, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
FN

2-0

Barella (7'), Kean (74')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Italy's Nicolo Barella wary of Finland threat in Euro 2020 qualifying

:Headline: Italy's Nicolo Barella wary of Finland threat in Euro 2020 qualifying: ID:354172: from db_amp
The Italians failed to reach last year's World Cup.

Nicolo Barella believes Italy face a tricky start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Finland.

The 22-year-old Cagliari midfielder is one of the newcomers in Roberto Mancini's Italy squad as they look to bounce back after missing out on last summer's World Cup.

A play-off defeat to Sweden kept Italy out of the tournament for the first time since 1958.

Mancini's men start as Group J favourites as they turn their attention to the European Championship, but Barella is taking nothing for granted in Saturday's opening qualifier against Finland.

"Finland is a compact team and strong off the ball," he said at a press conference according to the national team's website.

"They will wait for our mistakes and we will have to be careful."

On the development of young players by the manager, he added: "Mancini is giving us so much and trust is the most important thing."

Italy will be without Roma's Alessandro Florenzi and Fiorentina forward Federico Chiesa.

Left-back Cristiano Biraghi told the national team website: "We have a difficult race ahead, but we have to win."

Finland travel to Udine on the back of topping a Nations League group that contained Hungary, Greece and Estonia, and they will look to carry on that momentum against the Italians.

Captain Tim Sparv believes Markku Kanerva's side will have to start strong and defend well to secure something from the game.

Sparv told the national team's website: "The last couple of years have been difficult for them, they will certainly be motivated to play against us.

"If we keep our shape and defend as a team, we have a good chance to make life in Italy difficult."

amp_article__354172 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-22 20:02:37:
html db last update - 2021-03-08 14:43:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Nicolo Barella

Click here for more stories about Finland

Share this article now:
Read more about Nicolo Barella Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .