Italy to play for a win

Italy enter Saturday’s second leg match in Naples needing either a victory or a goalless draw following their 1-1 tie in Moscow in the first leg.

Maldini was criticised for being too cautious during the group stage of the qualifying campaign in which Italy drew 0-0 with Poland, Georgia and England — results which pushed them into the play-offs.

Some felt he might play for a goalless draw in Naples but at a news conference, Maldini said the Italians had to throw caution to the winds.

“Our 1-1 draw in Moscow was a good result obviously, but it’s not ideal. If you sit back and control the game and then they get a corner 10 minutes from the end and score, then you’re out of the World Cup.” “Anyway, we’re not capable of playing that sort of game.”

Maldini said Lazio striker Pierluigi Casiraghi was still carrying an injury in his left knee and experienced Juventus sweeper Ciro Ferrara is suffering a minor fracture to his nose. The coach said both men should be fit to play.Casiraghi is unlikely to start, however, even though first choice striker Christian Vieri is injured.

Gianfranco Zola, who played in Naples for four seasons from 1989-93, looks set to return to the starting line-up alongside Fabrizio Ravanelli, who played in the mud and snow of Moscow.

Maldini refused to be drawn on his decision to omit Robert Baggio from the squad for the match in the San Paolo stadium, where the former Italy captain scored a superb goal against Poland in April.

The coach said he had spoken to Baggio four times over the weekend but declined to give details.

Maldini said he felt the Italians, who start their domestic season later than most other Europeans, were starting to get into gear after three consecutive draws since the summer break.