MX23RW : Saturday, October 5 01:21:30| >> :600:1241797:1241797:

Cesare Prandelli bemoans poor finishing

Cesare Prandelli remains confident of qualifying from their Euro 2012 group despite two draws in two games.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes that profligacy in front of goal cost his team victory in their Group C clash with Croatia.

A 1-1 draw in Poznan means that the Azzurri now need to beat the Republic of Ireland in their final group game to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2012.

"You need to be more clinical in front of goal, show more determination when you get in their half and get near their goal," said Prandelli. "If you can't win the game, you don't kill it off then you are going to have regrets."

Prandelli has revealed his concern at the fitness levels of his players and feels that they start to tire after the hour mark.

"There is a drop in our level at the 60th minute," added the 54-year-old. "In terms of the two games, at that stage of the game we lack fresh legs. We need to rest up after this, we need to see how we manage our energy levels."

The former Fiorentina manager still believes that Italy can reach the quarter-finals, despite drawing both of their games so far.

"We're still convinced we can get through," said Prandelli. "Mathematically we are not out of it. We need to play well, but we have wasted an opportunity here."

Prandelli took control of the national team in 2010.

ID:30879: cacheID:30879:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2309:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cesare Prandelli
Read Next:
Prandelli: 'We must beat Croatia'
>
Read more about Cesare Prandelli Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!