March 20, 2002

Preparation and roster for Italy versus Spain World Cup qualifier

Mario Rimati

Italy Head Coach Carolina Morace and her squad are at the Borghesiana training camp, a wonderful sports complex located just on the outskirts of Rome. Morace is there with the team getting ready for departure tonight for Spain where on Sunday, March 24th, Italy will face the Spaniards in an all-important World Cup 2003 qualifier. As always she appeared optimistic and relaxed about an Italian victory (n.b. Italy won 3-0 against Spain). Her major preoccupation was that of trying to recuperate defender Manuela Tesse, who did not participate in the morning workout because of a minor injury, for the match Sunday.

Coach Morace was asked about several items including that of trying to get more international visibility for Italy and the recent Algarve Cup. She appeared somewhat frustrated that her proposal of participating in Algarve (everything was almost set to go until Italy had to back down due to league problems) was eventually turned down. She noted that it would have been fantastic preparation for the game against Spain.

Italy's roster

Goalkeepers

Brenzan (Foroni)

Brunozzi (Torres)

Comin (Bardolino)

Defenders

Tesse (Foroni)

Perelli (Foroni)

Masia (Torres)

Placchi (Bardolino)

Midfielders

Camporese (Bardolino)

Boni (Bardolino)

Tuttino (Foroni)

Deiana (Torres)

Zorri (Lazio)

Di Filippo (Tavagnacco)

Pellizzer (Foroni)

Serra(Foroni)

Maglio (Foroni)

Forwards

Guarino (Lazio)

Tagliacarne (Foroni)

Pasqui (Bardolino)

Panico (Lazio)

Gazzoli (Foroni)

Head Coach Carolina Morace

Assistant Coach Betty Bavagnoli