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In the European Championship qualifying match against Lithuania, Italian national team coach Roberto Donadoni admitted that he is worried about the upcoming match, which will be the first official test for the team's strategist.
With an experimental lineup that included only World Champions goalkeeper Marco Amelia, veteran forward Antonio Cassano was called up to the team by R.Donadoni following a friendly match against Croatia after more than a year hiatus. Cassano, along with nine other players - goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, defenders Dario Dainelli, Manuel Pasqual, Massimo Ambrosini, Marco Marchionni, Franco Semioli, forwards Emiliano Bonazzoli, David Di Michele and Tommaso Rocchi, will be among the newcomers who did not participate in the World Cup.
World champions defenders Mauro Camoranesi and Francesco Totti, as well as forwards Alessandro Del Piero and Luca Toni, stayed home to prepare for the season and regain their fitness. Defenders Alessandro Nesta, who is injured, and Marco Materazzi, who was suspended for three matches due to the famous incident in the final against Zinedine Zidane, were also not invited. Goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, defender Simone Barone, and forward Vincenzo Iaquinta are also not part of the squad.
Preparing for the match against Lithuania on Saturday evening at the "San Paolo" stadium in Naples, where Swedish referee Martin Hansson, who officiated this year's European Under-21 Championship final, will be in charge, and for the World Champions' game against France in Paris, the Italian coach said his team needs to focus on each game individually.
"We need to think about each match separately, and when playing against the World Champions, everyone will try to show their skills. I am concerned about the match against Lithuania because they are in better shape than us, so it will be a very tough match," said the strategist.
R.Donadoni is determined to follow the example of his predecessor Marcello Lippi and emphasized the importance of enthusiasm and unity in the team: "I spoke with Lippi and I am ready to listen to his advice - the main strength of this team is the group. After the triumph in Germany, it will not be easy for the players to start over, but I am optimistic."
Caution and optimism were also expressed by one of the leaders of "Squadra Azzurra," team captain defender Fabio Cannavaro: "We want to win the 2008 European Championship and we will immediately start working towards this goal. The first two games are very important, we need to start well, but we know it won't be easy. The team's veterans need to help the coaches and newcomers work together successfully, as the team's unity determines future achievements."
Italian national team lineup for matches against Lithuania and France:
Goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Christian Abbiati (Torino), Marco Amelia (Livorno).
Defenders Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Spain), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Inter), Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona, Spain).
Midfielders Massimo Ambrosini (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Marco Marchionni (Juventus), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Franco Semioli (Chievo).
Forwards Emiliano Bonazzoli (Sampdoria), Antonio Cassano (Real Madrid, Spain), David Di Michele (Palermo), Alberto Gilardino (Milan), Filippo Inzaghi (Milan), Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio).
