Francesco Acerbi assures Italy are taking tonight’s international friendly against Albania, and Sunday’s trip to Austria, seriously despite not warming up for the World Cup.
It kicks off at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana at 19.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
“These are two friendlies, we are still playing for the Nazionale and we are not here to be embarrassing. There are many young and smart kids here who want to play for their country,” Acerbi told RAI Sport.
“Of course, it remains deeply disappointing we are not at the World Cup, but we’ll try to win these games.”
Albania have numerous Serie A players in their ranks, including Marash Kumbulla of Roma, Lazio’s Elseid Hysaj ad Empoli midfielder Nedim Bajrami, not to mention Chelsea hitman Armando Broja.
“We are playing on their turf, in front of a passionate crowd, but we will try to win with enthusiasm and focus to prove we are still concentrated even if we won’t be at the World Cup.”
This match, and the most recent Serie A round, are used to raise funds for cancer research, which is a subject very close to Acerbi’s heart.
The Inter defender was twice diagnosed with testicular cancer, discovered during a routine medical and later in a failed doping test, and made a full recovery to resume his career.
“Research is very important to save lives, so together we can all be a team against cancer.”