Italy's Euro 2008 squad gathered at their training ground in Coverciano on Tuesday (May 27) in their final preparations before Friday's friendly with Belgium.
The 2006 World Cup winners hope to repeat their success in the Euro 2008 championship but say defensively it will be difficult to produce the same play that helped them win the trophy in Berlin.

"What we delivered at the World Cup but from a defensive point of view is difficult to copy, although at a lesser level it is possibl Read more

Italy's Euro 2008 squad gathered at their training ground in Coverciano on Tuesday (May 27) in their final preparations before Friday's friendly with Belgium.
The 2006 World Cup winners hope to repeat their success in the Euro 2008 championship but say defensively it will be difficult to produce the same play that helped them win the trophy in Berlin.

"What we delivered at the World Cup but from a defensive point of view is difficult to copy, although at a lesser level it is possible, because players such as Cannavaro, Materazzi, Grosso, Buffon who won the World Cup did things that are difficult to repeat but we want to try," said goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has played in over 80 matches for the national side.
Many consider Italy favourites for Euro 2008 but the players say they are not disturbed by the mounting pressure on them to play well.

"Italy have to be considered the favourites because they are world champions," said Alberto Aquilani a midfielder who plays for A.S.
Roma.

"France is a tough rival, for me personally I also think Spain has good possibilities but I think Italy has to aim to win," he added.

"I think pressure is taken for granted, it's normal. We are champions of the world and the 'favourites' so everyone is waiting for a great Italy that will perform well at the European championship," said Fabio Qualgiarella, who plays for Udine.

"With the experience of the players we will rise above this pressure."
The team also posed for their official photographs before their training session, dressed not for soccer but more as grooms ready for a wedding, the players first came out wearing their specially designed Dolce and Gabbana suits before changing into their new Puma kit.
Coach Roberto Donadoni will give his final squad to UEFA tomorrow, trimming one name from his 24-player list with Riccardo Montolivo from Fiorentina expected to be dropped. Close