Daniele De Rossi has warned Italy of the pitfall facing Costa Rica in Recife represents later this week.
Having defeated England on Saturday evening, the Azzurri are now looking ahead to Friday’s second match of Group D against an opponent who surprisingly also sit on three points after the first round of games.
Daniele De Rossi has warned Italy of the pitfall facing Costa Rica in Recife represents later this week.
Having defeated England on Saturday evening, the Azzurri are now looking ahead to Friday’s second match of Group D against an opponent who surprisingly also sit on three points after the first round of games.
For one of Italy’s midfield, a win over the group’s lowest ranked nation should be seen as no formality, particularly for the game’s location of Recife.
“I remember we played there last year in the Confederations Cup against Japan, and we suffered from the heat as well as their speed,” De Rossi has told reporters this week.
“Since then there has been talk of the draw and this as the most dangerous game, because we play at 1pm local time and it will be really difficult.
“Can we beat Costa Rica? There is no longer a World Cup as it once was, like in Italia 90 when games ended 8-0.
“We find teams are organised, with strong players and you cannot afford to think that Italy will beat Costa Rica just because we are called Italy.
“You have to face them prepared to play to the death because everyone would have predicted a victory for Uruguay.”