Italy coach Conte targets Euro ticket

AFP, MILAN: Coach Antonio Conte has demanded Italy seal their Euro 2016 ticket this weekend but has warned that only first team regulars will figure in his travelling plans for next summer’s tournament in France. Italy host Malta in Florence on Thursday before travelling to Palermo to host a Bulgarian side desperate to relaunch their qualifying campaign with four games remaining in Group H.
Victory from both games would see Italy book their ticket for the European Championships with two games to spare. Conte, who led Juventus to three consecutive titles prior to taking over the Italy job, advised his squad to put aside what is going on in domestic competition. “It’s an important week for us. With two wins against Malta and Bulgaria we can qualify for Euro 2016,” said Conte, who took over from Cesare Prandelli following Italy’s first-round exit from last year’s World Cup.
“I want the players to forget what’s happening in their various clubs. All we should be focusing on is winning our games. “We want to win them all and finish top of the group to give our confidence and self-esteem a boost.” Italy are only one point behind group leaders Croatia, who on paper have 14 but were deducted a point following a 1-1 draw with Italy in June after a swastika was scrawled on the pitch before the fixture in Zagreb.

Italy coach Conte targets Euro ticket

AFP, MILAN: Coach Antonio Conte has demanded Italy seal their Euro 2016 ticket this weekend but has warned that only first team regulars will figure in his travelling plans for next summers tournament in France. Italy host Malta in Florence on Thursday before travelling to Palermo to host a Bulgarian side desperate to relaunch their qualifying campaign with four games remaining in Group H. Victory from both games would see Italy book their ticket for the European Championships with two games to spare. Conte, who led Juventus to three consecutive titles prior to taking over the Italy job, advised his squad to put aside what is going on in domestic competition. Its an important week for us. With two wins against Malta and Bulgaria we can qualify for Euro 2016, said Conte, who took over from Cesare Prandelli following Italys first-round exit from last years World Cup. I want the players to forget whats happening in their various clubs. All we should be focusing on is winning our games. We want to win them all and finish top of the group to give our confidence and self-esteem a boost. Italy are only one point behind group leaders Croatia, who on paper have 14 but were deducted a point following a 1-1 draw with Italy in June after a swastika was scrawled on the pitch before the fixture in Zagreb.