Andrea Pirlo has insisted he has not thought about Italy leaving the World Cup at the group stage.
The Azzurri face Uruguay tomorrow in Natal knowing that a defeat will see them join England as Group D’s early departees.
But the midfielder has claimed that he is only thinking about going through to the Last 16.
Andrea Pirlo has insisted he has not thought about Italy leaving the World Cup at the group stage.
The Azzurri face Uruguay tomorrow in Natal knowing that a defeat will see them join England as Group D’s early departees.
But the midfielder has claimed that he is only thinking about going through to the Last 16.
“Am I worried? No,” he told a Press conference. “We are all aware that this is a crucial match, but we are equally aware that we are a strong team with destiny in our own hands.
“It would be a big disappointment for me and for the whole team to go out now, but it is not something we have thought about.
“We are preparing to go through to the next round. Leaving [the tournament] hasn’t entered our minds.
“Hopefully we will see a different Italy – not the same one that we saw against England or Costa Rica.
“We want to impose our game on the opponents. We won’t play for a draw.”
Pirlo then commented on the conditions in Brazil for this World Cup.
“I think the heat in Recife has been an issue for every team. And one o’clock kick offs for every team, including Argentina and Germany, have been tough.
“There are two World Cups – one in the north and one in the south.”