KOPI-TALKS 
KOPI-TALKS
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WALES HOST ITALY AT CARDIFF 15.10.02 Previous Page Next Page Italy look forward to an improved performance against Wales at Cardiff on Wednesday after a disappointing result against Yugoslavia on Saturday, which ended in a 1 - 1 draw. While most of the attention might be on the sizzling hot France, which crushed Slovenia 5 - 0 at home and a lukewarm England, which battled to a hard fought 2 - 1 away win over Slovakia, I feel that the match between Wales and Italy promises to be a treat. Shall it be an underdog triumph for Mark Hughes' hard battling Wales or will Giovanni Trapattoni's battle-harden Italy play their cards right this time with a convincing win over their main opponent from Group Nine.
Wales versus Italy. It would be a case of David meets Goliath. Wales has been improving under Mark Hughes and the team is in a confident mood after their 2 - 0 away win over Finland in September. Italy in contrast, has been a picture of dejection after losing key players like Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri, Filippo Inzaghi and Francesco Coco through injuries and they have also lost the influential defender, Paolo Maldini when he retired from international football earlier this year. To add to Italy's injury woes, their unexpected 1 - 1 draw with Yugoslavia have put them under immense pressure from Italian Media and Fans alike. Wales' rough and tumble play may just be enough to see off any backslash from Italy, which is like a wounded beast now. If Wales is to have any chance of winning Italy, Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy will have to provide the necessary ammunition to gun down Italy at Cardiff. Italy has called up Middlebrough's in-form marksman, Massimo Maccarone to replace Filippo Inzaghi for the match. With Del Piero's flair in attack and Massimo Maccarone's inventiveness in front of goal, Italy will threaten to overrun Wales' defence in an attempt restore its stature of a major European football power in Europe 2004 Qualification. It is vital for Giovanni Trapattoni's team get a win at Cardiff but I afraid this will prove to be a difficult task for Italy. With raising expectations that Mark Hughes's team could qualify for the 2004 finals in Portugal, Wales will definitely make Italy slog for a point or three. My prediction for the match : Wales 1 - 0 Italy.
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