Courtesy: UEFA.com


Menichelli finds winning Italian blend

Thursday 7 January 2010

by Francesco Corda from Rome

Roberto Menichelli had a tough act to follow when he took over from Italy's 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship-winning coach Alessandro Nuccorini at the start of last year but the subsequent unbeaten run has given the Azzurri real hope of repeating that success.

Confident mood
Nuccorini made Italy a world-class force in his 12-year reign and in 2007 led them to another European final. His former assistant Menichelli has now been in charge for 13 games, however, winning eleven and drawing two with 50 goals scored, and is entitled to be in confident mood as they prepare to open their Group B campaign in Hungary against Belgium on 19 January before playing Ukraine four days later.

Satisfaction
"I'm very pleased with the run-up to this tournament," Menichelli told uefa.com. "And I'm just as satisfied with our results. The fact we've never lost gives us great confidence, even if the law of averages dictates that the longer you are unbeaten, the nearer you could be to defeat. I hope it will happen as late as possible or when it's not decisive."

Sense of responsibility
This week Menichelli has been preparing with his extended squad in Civitavecchia as he contemplates reducing his party to the required 14. "We must assess our physical condition; I hope I will be able to make the choices and not the medical staff," Menichelli said. "It's a role I face with great sense of responsibility to the federation and Italian futsal, and also satisfaction because I'm obviously pleased to lead the national team at the European Championship."

Blend
In following such a long-established coach, Menichelli has looked to introduce new blood to maintain Italy's position as one of the leading nations in world futsal. "We are going forward by blending newcomers with more experienced players," he said. "I have been training these guys for eight months and we've been getting gradually better. I'm satisfied, because today we have young players who have proved to be quality internationals."

Opener
"Serenity" is the word Menichelli uses to describe the mindset he wants in Hungary as he considered the opener against Belgium. "The first game will be crucial; winning that in a three-team group gives you strength," he said. "We will play on 19 January and then again on the 23rd, so we'll have a few days to rest and observe: it's another important aspect. Belgium are coming out of a transitional period and Ukraine are a traditional force; in past editions they've always been in the limelight. It's a difficult group."

Emotions
With several experienced players from the past now out of international futsal, Menichelli is hoping that the newcomers will not be overawed by their first major tournament. "The emotions for the players who've never appeared in a European Championship could represent a trap, but I don't think the lads will get affected in a negative way," he said.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com