ITALY TEAM PROFILE : Aiming to go one better

Having gone so close to glory in the last UEFA European Championships, it is no surprise that Italy are one of the favourites to win UEFA EURO 2004™.

Balanced squad
They may have faltered slightly in qualification and fallen at the second hurdle in the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea/Japan but they remain a well-balanced squad bursting with top-quality players.

Successful coach
The fact they have the country's most successful club coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, at the helm only confirms they will give international heavyweights such as France, Portugal and Germany a run for their money when the tournament begins in June.

Tough group
Typically, Italy's passage to Portugal was everything but a stroll in the park. Drawn in the same tough group as Wales, Serbia and Montenegro, Finland and Azerbaijan, Trapattoni's side limped out of the blocks, held 1-1 at home to Serbia and Montenegro in their second game and beaten in Cardiff by a rejuvenated Welsh side four days later.

Bounced back
A 4-0 humbling of then leaders Wales in the crucial return match put the Azzurri back in control of their own destiny, and the Italian job was complete as they sealed automatic qualification in the final game with a victory against minnows Azerbaijan in October.

Defensive masters
As usual Italy's forté lies in their defence. Gianluigi Buffon, Italy's first choice keeper who missed UEFA EURO 2000™ after breaking a bone in his hand, will be anxious to impress in his first European Championships. In front of Buffon, AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta and Internazionale FC's Fabio Cannavaro make a potent central defensive partnership with a deservedly miserly reputation.

Tactically sound
But it is going forward where Italy finally look the complete article. The 4-4-2 system which Trapattoni employs allows flexibility with hard-working and tenacious midfield players used as a substitute to wingers, which the Italian coach admits they have in short supply.

Opportunity to adapt
Their versatility means they can also play with a flat back four, using three in midfield and three forwards, with Alessandro Del Piero playing as a link behind Christian Vieri and AS Roma playmaker Francesco Totti.

Double trouble
The positive side is that it allows the selection of both Del Piero and Totti in the same side. Playing together, they make up for Italy's other possible weakness - a lack of midfield creativity. As he did in Korea and Japan, Trapattoni will look to Totti, perhaps the most skilful and creative of all Italy's attacking players, to drive the team in Portugal. The form of the deadly Christian Vieri, one of the most prolific strikers in the last decade, will also be crucial.

Second in 2000
Since taking over from Dino Zoff following Italy's runners-up finish at EURO 2000™, Trapattoni - a coach who won everything at club level - has yet to prove he can achieve the same success on the international circuit. But, with a hugely talented generation of footballers at his command, the Italian press believe it is time for Trapattoni to deliver the success they have craved for so long.

Confident of success
Nesta, a key figure in a defence which went 524 minutes without conceding a goal during qualification, certainly believes Italy can succeed in Portugal. "When we're in form, no one can stop us. In 2002 we threw away a [FIFA] World Cup where we could have done a lot better. We will make sure we make up for this in Portugal."

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