Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero will not be included in Italy's squad for the final two European championship qualifiers against Scotland and the Faeroe Islands. Italy will face Scotland on Saturday in Glasgow, then host the Faeroe Islands in Modena four days later. Juventus forward Raffaele Palladino was called up into the squad announced by coach Roberto Donadoni on Sunday. The 24-man squad is made up of forwards Luca Toni, Antonio Di Natale and Vincenzo Iaquinta.
Italy must fear a repeat of the European 1984 qualifiers when they failed to qualify for the European finals as a world champion. It was lowly Lithuania who inflicted damage all those years ago and a disappointing home draw last year against the same opposition could prove costly.
Italy seem to take a while to find their best possible form but they do not have the luxury this time around. A defeat on Saturday will prove fatal unless knocked-out Ukraine can have a surprise victory against France the following Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Scotland manager Alex McLeish named a full-strength squad for the Saturday game at Hampden Park. This has been possible by the fact that top clubs Celtic and Rangers have postponed this weekend's league games.
Scotland is second in the group, a point behind France and one ahead of world champion Italy and will secure a place in next year's championship by beating the Italians. It can also advance with a draw if France loses its final game against Ukraine or Italy stumbles against Faeroe Islands. However, a loss will mean elimination and Scotland can say goodbye to the European championship.
Although Scotland does not have any star player, McLeish has assembled a squad of players who perform above themselves against the top teams. The Scots have beaten France 1-0 home and away previously. McLeish said that even though those players are disappointed for not being selected for the squad this Saturday, they will still be happy to support each other.
Jesaiah is a die-hard football fan and have watch Live Football Matches Online using a special software with high quality streaming video. You can click here to download the software.
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