Euro Qualifier: Scotland v Italy - 17th Nov 07

[Podolski]

Haven't really been following Scotland much so what would happen if it was a draw?

[LAF]

If we draw we can still qualify if France lose against Ukraine.

[DavidMc]

Originally Posted by LAF

Surely McFadden deserves to start ahead of Miller?

I think so. Millers constant running and putting defenders unders pressure would be a great asset.

Although, McFadden is capable of a moment of magic.

Im just glad we now have a choice, a few years back we didnt have this problem, but we now have a squad with great depth.

I know what you mean. Really looking forward to it. Will be a bag of nerves all day tomorrow.

[DavidMc]

Manager Alex McLeish is sure Scotland can handle the enormity of the occasion when they take on Italy at Hampden.

Victory for the Scots would secure qualification from Group B and a place at next summer's Euro 2008 finals.

And McLeish said: "There is massive belief among the squad. We may not win the game but I tell you the players won't bottle it, that's for sure.

"We've been through every emotion in this group and I believe we have the mentality. We don't fear failure."

Scotland have not been at a major championship since they reached the 1998 World Cup.

"It's been too long," said defender David Weir.

"Everyone is looking forward to it. There are a lot of lads with good experience but this has got to be our biggest game.

"Italy are the best team in the world, it's as simple as that.

"They're the world champions. We've got to counter that. We've got to be at our best to have any chance of getting something."

"There is a lot at stake so it will be a tight game and very nervy."

Scotland have won all of their home matches during the qualifying campaign and a packed Hampden is sure to generate an incredible atmosphere.

"We've got to put them under pressure," McLeish said.

"We're at home in Glasgow and we have to make the Italians feel they're away from home."

However, McLeish has great respect for the World Cup winners and a gung-ho approach is highly unlikely.

"We know they have world class players and we know we have to stop those players.

"That has to be part of our game-plan. We have to do that to allow our players to strut their stuff."

Scotland have scored first in all of their eight group wins but the manager has faith in his side coping with whatever is thrown at them.

"If we do have a setback in the game I wouldn't write these guys off," he added.

"We have a wonderful opportunity. We've always said that in the beginning nobody gave us a prayer to be in this position.

"Now we're in it everybody expects us to win and take care of it against the world champions. That's the expectation levels out there."

Striker Kenny Miller has been a key player for Scotland in recent times and scored in a 1-1 draw when Italy were last at Hampden in 2005.

And the Derby forward said: "The results alone in this group have proved that we can beat anybody on our day.

"Yes, we need a lot of things to fall in our favour, but it has kind of happened in this campaign.

"It's just 11 guys or 11 guys. Yes, they have had all these accolades in their career. But, at the end of the day, it is a one-off game here.

"We have done well against them before, so we can do it again.

"It has come to this kind of cup final scenario in our final game, so there is a different approach we have got to take because of what the prize is at the end of it."

Kenny Miller could be a handful for the Italians if he is chosen today. The rest of the team basically picks itself now, but the starting line-up is the one which will be difficult for McLeish to pick.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Scotland:

------------------------- Gordon----------------
-- Hutton --- McManus ---- Weir ---- Naysmith
------------------------- Hartley ----------------
-- Brown ---- Fletcher ------ Ferguson -- McCulloch
------------------------- McFadden----------------


Italy:

----------------------------- Buffon -------------------------
-- Panucci --- Cannavaro --- Barzaghli ---- Zambrotta
--------------------------- Ambrosini-------------------------
-- Camo -------- Gattuso ---------- Pirlo ------- Di Natale
--------------------------- Toni ---------------------------

[Doc-Bhoy]

Originally Posted by Podolski

Haven't really been following Scotland much so what would happen if it was a draw?

If it's a draw we would need either Faroe Islands to beat Italy or Ukraine to beat France in order for us to qualify.

[Podolski]

italy scored in the 1st/2nd minute Luca Toni

[azzurri]

That goal should have stood.

That wasn't a handball either. His arms were firmly tucked to the side, and it wasn't intentional.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

1-1 Barry Ferguson.

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by Doc-Bhoy

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

1-1 Barry Ferguson.

Offsidddddddddddddddddddddddddddddde

Incredible. Italy get a legit goal wrongly called back for offside, and u tie off a goal which is offside.

[kyan]

Luca Toni's goal was a quality finish.

Scotland have been getting very lucky with the offside calls...

It's a shame I realised the Israel v Russia game had already started, this was a good game.

[azzurri]

Ill settle for a tie because I like the Scots and want them to qualify. But if they get the 3 pts, bull-fucking-shit. It should have been 2-0 at half time, and your tying goal was clearly offside.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Its football, this happens.

You wouldn't be complaining if it was the other way.

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by Doc-Bhoy

Its football, this happens.

You wouldn't be complaining if it was the other way.

It happens, but in games as important as this, for 2 calls to change the game, thats unacceptable.

It was the same linesman who wrongly called back Italy's goal in the 1st that didn't call shit on your goal. Now thats fucking luck.

If it was Italy on the other end, we wouldn't hear the end of it, how the Italian's bought the ref, cheated, blah, blah.

[jec1]

Scotland looked confident, Italy look sluggish!