Italy have two match points in
their final Euro 2016 qualifiers as victory in Saturday's visit
to Azerbaijan or in Tuesday's game against Norway in Rome will
suffice to see the Azzurri through to next year's finals in
France.
Italy are top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group H with 18
points from eight games, two points more than second-placed
Norway and four more than third-placed Croatia, so they are sure
of qualifying as group winners if they win both.
Coach Antonio Conte's preparations have been hit by the
loss of forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi.
Napoli striker Insigne on Wednesday left Italy's training
camp near Florence after picking up a knee knock in Sunday's 4-0
Napoli win over AC Milan at the San Siro, where he scored two
goals and set up another.
Sassuolo's Berardi, a 21-year-old who has yet to win his
first cap, left the squad on Monday with a leg-muscle problem.
AC Milan's Mario Balotelli is also injured, although Conte
said this week that he would not have called him up even if he
were fit.
"To return to the national team two games or a free-kick
goal are not enough," Conte said referring to a goal the
flamboyant forward scored in Milan's 3-2 win over Udinese last
month.
"There is a precise path to follow made up of continuity of
games, performance and attitude".
Conte added that "mine is a message meant for everyone, not
only Mario who besides, from what (Milan coach) Sinisa
Mijajlovic tells me, is working well".
"All I ask is that he deserve the (Italian) jersey".
On the positive side Sebastian Giovinco, who has not
played for Italy since a friendly against Albania last year, has
returned to the squad.
The skilful 28-year-old has been in excellent form since
joining Toronto from Serie A champions Juventus in January, and
his 21 goals have almost ensured his team a place in the MLS
playoffs.
"I'm happy to have won back a place in the national team,"
Giovinco told reporters on Thursday.
"It's a wager that I've won. It was something that I
dearly wanted, but it could not be taken for granted".
Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) President Carlo
Tavecchio, meanwhile, has said that he is ready to extend
Conte's contract if the national team does well at Euro 2016.
"We are ready to extend Conte's contract for another two
years," Tavecchio said.
"Obviously it depends on what he wants and the conditions
that are created at the European championships.
"We are obviously hoping to win Euro 2016".
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