Italy take on Group E rivals
Sweden in Toulouse at 15:00 on Friday aiming to book their place
in the last 16 of Euro 2016 with a game to spare after their
impressive 2-0 win over Belgium in their opening game on Monday.
Antonio Conte's men are on a high after exceeding low
expectations of them against the world's second-ranked nation
with a display of determination, tactical intelligence and cool
finishing.
"Our strength is that we are aware of our limits and we
know what we have to put onto the field, that's the guarantee
that we won't botch the second game" said captain and goalkeeper
Gigi Buffon said Thursday.
"In the last few tournaments, the second match has caused
us problems, but we're here to solve them".
Conte said he will not make many changes to his side,
even though several players are on bookings and risk suspensions
if they get another yellow card.
Forward Graziano Pellè, who sealed Monday's win with a
fine volley in stoppage-time, has returned to training after
taking a knock to the left foot and should be available.
Winger Antonio Candreva said he knows Italy will have
plenty of problems against a Sweden side led by star forward
Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"They'll have the game of their lives against us. We know
it will be tough," he said.
"He (Ibrahimovic) is a great champion, a fantastic player
and he can hurt us all on his own.
"But we have to play our own game albeit with certain
adaptations to counter their strengths and take advantage of
their weaknesses".
Sweden and Hamburg midfielder Albin Ekdal said he was
worried about Friday's match against an Italy outfit which
proved to be much stronger than anticipated.
Ekdal said the Swedes would have to "give more" than they
did in their opening 1-1 draw against a hard-working Ireland.
"Italy is stronger than we expected, before we thought
Belgium was the side to beat, but now I've changed my mind,"
said Ekdal, who has played for several Italian clubs including
Siena, Juventus, Bologna and Cagliari.
"In Lyon Italy played a very great game: they looked
very focused and disciplined, above all in defence. I'm worried,
it's going to be a very tough match.
"We'll have to give more than we did against the Irish
because the Azzurri are not like Ireland."
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