Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 10y

Norway will be 'trick opponents' for Italy in qualifier, says Antonio Conte

Italy coach Antonio Conte is expecting a difficult start to qualification for Euro 2016 when his side face Norway in Oslo on Tuesday evening.

- Pirlo explains change of heart on Italy future

A 2-0 win over the Netherlands at the weekend counts for nothing when the Squadra Azzurra take to the field for their first real test following their World Cup disappointment. Regardless of their performances in Brazil, Italy will be regarded as favourites when they face a team beaten 1-0 by England at the weekend, but Conte has warned it may not be so easy.

"They are trick opponents," he said at a news conference in Oslo on Monday. "They are very tight and very careful in defence. You've got to take them seriously. You need to have great respect for everybody in Europe and in the world.

"We don't expect it to be easy at all. We've got to put in a lot of effort, intensity and show the desire to win, but we've also got to be very careful."

Nevertheless, after having worked with his squad for a week now, the former Juventus coach is encouraged by what he has seen.

"We've worked very well and I'm pleased with these days spent with the lads," he continued. "They've all been very open to learning the kind of football I'd like to see played. I'm convinced that we're heading in the right direction, no matter what result we get.

"I hope we will see a side full of enthusiasm; one which wants to win no matter who plays."

In terms of the team Conte is set to send out onto the field at the Ullevaal Stadion, few changes are expected from the starting XI he picked for his debut on the Italy bench on Friday. Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza are expected to lead the attack again with Alessandro Florenzi coming in for Claudio Marchisio.

That is, at least, the only change being predicted by the Italian media, and Conte hinted they could be right.

"In goal, we have [Gianluigi] Buffon and I think that you've already worked out what the rest of my team will be," he said, giving away everything without giving anything away.

^ Back to Top ^