Denmark v Italy - PREVIEW
Danes see chink in Italy's armour
AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson is confident his Denmark side can pull off a major upset by defeating Italy in their opening match of Euro 2004 north of Oporto.
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| Combo of two recent pictures showing Italian As Roma striker Francesco Totti (L) and Danish AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson. Italy will play Denmark in their first game of the Euro 2004 European Nations football Championship 14 June 2004 in Guimaraes. AFP PHOTO |
Tomasson, who knows what makes the Italians tick having played in Serie A for the past two seasons, believes the hard-working Danes can suprise their more glamourous opponents by hitting them on the break.
"Italy are favourites to win our group and along with France are one of the favourites to win the tournament, but we know we can beat them," said the 27-year-old forward.
"We always look to push forward and have the players suited to our counter-attacking style which can cause them problems.
Thomas Helveg, another Dane earning his living in Italy, said his team would benefit from being the underdogs.
"The pressure is all on the Italians as everyone will be expecting them to win and that can work in our favour," said the Inter Milan defender.
One defeat in 16 for Italy
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said the Danes' steady improvement over the last few years means they cannot be underestimated.
"The Nordic teams have always been tough, but now they play with a little Latin flair," he said.
"We can expect a tough match, but we have prepared well and are full of confidence."
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| Italy's coach Giovanni Trapattoni (C) gestures as he talks with Fabio Cannavaro (L) and Alessandro Nesta (R) prior their training session at the Restelo stadium in Lisbon 09 June 2004. Italy will train in Lisbon until 14 june when they fly to Porto for their first EURO 2004 match against Denmark. AFP PHOTO/ Vincenzo PINTO |
Trapattoni has a fully fit squad, but Denmark will be without battling midfielder Thomas Gravesen, who is suspended.
Winger Jesper Gronkjaer is also unlikely to play following the death of his mother.
Trapattoni will stick with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation, having used it to good effect in the run up to the championships.
Italy have lost just one of their last 16 matches, away to Poland last November.
Italy have played Denmark 10 times, winning seven and losing three.
The Danes won when the teams last met in 1999 in a Euro 2000 qualifier.
Teams
Denmark: Sorensen - Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen (cap.), N. Jensen - Rommedahl, D. Jensen, Poulsen, Jorgensen - Tomasson, Sand
Coach: Morten Olsen
Italy: Buffon - Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro (cap.), Zambrotta - Perotta, Zanetti - Camoranesi, Totti, Del Piero - Vieri
Referee: Mr. Mejuto-Gonzalez (SPA)