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Rossi targets Euro glory Thursday 9 August, 2007

Azzurrini star Giuseppe Rossi is targeting Champions League qualification in his first season with new club Villarreal.

The 20-year-old striker joined the La Liga side this summer from Manchester United after snubbing interest from a host of Serie A sides including Fiorentina, Milan and youth club Parma.

Now Rossi is keen to put a stressful pre-season behind him and concentrate on success with the Yellow Submarine.

“I’ve joined a very ambitious club,” the US-born marksman grinned. “It was difficult to leave Manchester, but the first days here have convinced me that I made the right choice.”

Despite the town’s tiny population of 50,000, Villarreal are one of Spain’s top sides and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2005-06 after beating Inter on away goals in the last 16.

“The big objective is to get back in the Champions League where the side did so well two years ago,” Rossi explained. ”I can already see that this side can challenge in any competition - La Liga, the UEFA Cup or the Champions League.”

Finally, the ex-Ducali ace was quizzed about his future and the possibility of a return to Old Trafford.

“I know that there is a clause that will let me return to Manchester United,” he admitted. “But I’m just thinking of Villarreal.”

channel4.com - Football Italia