Euro 2012 qualifier preview: Northern Ireland v Italy
Anything big brother can do, little brother can do better.
Corry Evans had only been on the pitch for three minutes in Maribor last month when the 20-year-old achieved something that would have made older brother and Manchester United team-mate Jonny jealous – he popped up in the six yard box to score the only goal.
That win was the perfect start for Northern Ireland in Group C, and now Evans Jnr. is looking help them improve, but it’s the big boys of Italy next.
“It's been a dream to play against the top nations and Italy are certainly one of them,” said Evans.
“You just want to test yourself against the top players and hopefully we can rattle them a bit at Windsor Park.”
It will be the first time that Evans has played at Northern Ireland’s famous home in a senior international, and so the midfielder – a Belfast boy – is naturally excited.
“I have been dreaming about it since I was a kid,” he said.
“I've played there once for the U19s and there wasn't many people there. I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere and crowd at Windsor on Friday.”
Italy aren’t, and with the Azzurri fully aware of the tough task that awaits them in Belfast – where Northern Ireland have beaten England and Spain in the last five years – thoughts have turned to the atmosphere that awaits them.
“They are more dangerous when playing at home,” said Italy’s experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini, of Juventus. “Northern Ireland seem to have another gear in front of their fans.
“They narrowly missed out on Euro 2008 and this year's World Cup. We will have to be ready for a sporting battle.”
Aaron Hughes takes back possession of his captain’s armband after giving Stephen Craigan the honour in Slovenia – the occasion of his 50th cap.
“Stephen borrowed it for the night,” said boss Nigel Worthington, “and had a fantastic time overall. He fully deserved the honour.
“Now the armband will return to Aaron against Italy. That is accepted and expected.”
A tough challenge will also be accepted and expected, as while this Italian team may not match the force of previous sides – they still haven’t got over their dreadful World Cup – they will still be present Northern Ireland with the toughest of challenges tonight. Their manager is sure of it.
“Against Northern Ireland I will play 4-3-3,” said Cesare Prandelli. “We want the three points, of course, but they we should be accompanied by the beautiful game, as always. But this result will be more important than others.”
The former Fiorentina boss took over in the summer, after Marcello Lippi undid all of the good work he did in winning the 2006 World Cup by overseeing the disastrous campaign in South Africa, where Italy drew with Paraguay and New Zealand before losing to Slovakia and exiting at the group stage.
He’s confirmed that he’ll start with a front three of Roma’s Marco Boriello, Juventus’ Simone Pepe and the maverick Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano – a tough task for any defence to deal with.
Whether Northern Ireland’s can is the key question, but with Italy eager to make up for the summer’s failings, they may just have too much firepower for their hosts – regardless of the atmosphere.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 1 Italy 2
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