Cesare Prandelli has defended his decision to bring Leonardo Bonucci and not Domenico Criscito to Euro 2012. “Comparisons with 2006 are a cliché.”
Cesare Prandelli has defended his decision to bring Leonardo Bonucci and not Domenico Criscito to Euro 2012. “Comparisons with 2006 are a cliché.”
The Italy camp was rocked by a betting scandal, as on Monday police arrived for a dawn raid on the training complex.
They arrested Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and searched the room of defender Criscito, while Juventus man Bonucci is also being mentioned in the on-going case.
“We want to win and emerge clean from this situation,” Coach Prandelli told Rai Sport.
“The most irritating thing is that someone linked Bonucci’s situation with that of Criscito, which is not the case.
“Bonucci did not receive any official notice he was under investigation by police. This is why he is coming to the Euros with us.”
It has also been said this scandal is remarkably similar to the Calciopoli storm that enveloped the Azzurri squad before the 2006 World Cup, which many credited as helping forge team spirit.
“The comparisons with 2006 seem like a cliché to me. They say in difficult moments that the Italy team becomes more united.
“I hope that will be the effect it has, but I don’t believe the theory that Italy only give their best under pressure. We should be giving our best in a calm atmosphere.
“Now the important thing is to let people understand our intentions, which are to clean up the sport.”
The Azzurri were meant to play a friendly against Luxembourg in Parma this evening, but it was cancelled after an earthquake struck the area this morning, leaving at least 15 dead.