Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has revealed why he opted against recalling Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”3″>Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has revealed why he opted against recalling Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi.
The Italian has scored three goals in his first two League games of the season, but he wasn’t included in the latest squad by Prandelli – which was announced before his brace against Genoa last night.
“I’m following him with great interest,” the tactician stated from Coverciano on Monday. “He’s now finding his best condition again.
“But it’s only right that we don’t push things in terms of calling him up to the Giro Azzurro.”
The forward, who has basically missed the last two seasons because of knee ligament damage, last played for Italy in October 2011. He has scored six goals in 27 caps.
Rossi’s chances of a call-up were improved by the fact Mario Balotelli and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo are suspended for Friday’s qualifier against Bulgaria. They will be back for next week’s Czech Republic tie.
“We’ve called up Alberto Gilardino and Manolo Gabbiadini as centre-forwards, we just need to find the right solutions against Bulgaria,” Prandelli added.
“I’m not worried, but focused on these two games which await. We need to win these ties first before talking about the World Cup.”
On his concerns ahead of the two qualifiers, Prandelli added: “Our fitness seeing as we know we are not usually at our best in September.
“We have to make sure that we are good in the areas where we are superior, like ball possession. We’ll need great quality in midfield and running on the flanks.”
Prandelli was also inevitably asked for his thoughts on the Serie A season which is now 180 minutes old.
“I think there will be six or seven sides that will be involved in a championship of their own,” he explained. “There is a gap between them and the rest.
“Napoli and Inter have surprised me. The new Coaches there have already given an identity to their sides.”