[Marcelo]

Amelia hails Don effect Thursday 7 February, 2008

Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia believes that Roberto Donadoni deserves credit for instilling a winning mentality into the Italy side.

The Azzurri comfortably beat Portugal 3-1 in Zurich last night with Amelia deputising in goal for the injured Gigi Buffon.

“I think we showed that we are an excellent group,” he declared on Radio Radio TV.

“We take on friendlies and qualification games with the same mentality and the same desire to get a result.

“The mental factor counts for a lot and I think that the Coach is responsible for getting us motivated.

“We couldn’t have played that game in that way after our Euro 2008 qualification campaign otherwise.”

Amelia concluded by analysing his own performance, which won praise from the peninsula’s journalists.

“The head is also very important in a goalkeeper’s performance, as you need to stay calm to allow your teammates to be relaxed,” he said. “I think that I demonstrated that on the pitch.”

channel4.com - Football Italia