Milan, 30 March (LaPresse) – "We need to be properly concerned; there’s a lot at stake. That applies to us as much as it does to them; it’s a unique opportunity for both teams. Then the pitch will decide. They expended a bit more physically against Wales, but these are the sort of matches where the physical aspect takes a back seat; it will be the mental game that makes the difference." So said Roberto Donadoni, former Italy manager, speaking on Radio Anch’io Sport on Rai Radio 1, about tomorrow evening’s Bosnia v Italy match in Zenica, which will be decisive for qualification for this summer’s World Cup. The choices up front: Retegui or Esposito alongside Kean? “Both could do the job. We could start as we did against Northern Ireland and then bring on a player of Esposito’s calibre during the match; perhaps as energy levels dip a little, his impact could be decisive. Those are the kinds of feelings only the manager can sense by being with the lads. The competitive spirit is such that whoever takes to the pitch must leave their mark on the ground.‘ More foreign-based players, no pre-match training camp ahead of the double-header: is the national team supported enough? ’I believe we’ve reached the point of no return. These are discussions we have constantly. If there isn’t strong collaboration, it becomes difficult; there must be a shared purpose between the clubs and the manager, otherwise the national team takes a back seat and this complicates everything. This is the squad we have, and we need to get the best out of them; this narrows the gap between established national teams like Italy and those less favoured on paper, but who now make life difficult for you, as happened in the play-offs in previous years."
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