Under-pressure Italy coach Giovannni Trapattoni, has denied that last night’s defeat to Wales would tempt him to hand in his resignation.
Trapattoni watched in dismay as his understrength team, missing the likes of Inzaghi, Vieri and Totti, went down 2-1 to a vibrant Wales team.
‘Whenever there is a cold draught, we catch a cold,’ said Trapattoni afterwards.
‘I have been assured of my future and resignation has never been a consideration. I am takking responsibility for this defeat, Wales were better than us.’
‘Wales were well organnised, they were foxy and we just couldn’t match them… there is no question who were the superior team.’
‘The thought of resigning has never crossed my mind. I still have the backingand support of the Italian Football Federation,’ he added.
‘Wales were excellent. They got a win in Finland without playing that well, but they played out of their skin this time.
“You have to take your hat off to Wales. We could not cope with them.”
Asked to explain Italy’s performance, Trapattoni refused to concede that his players had underperformed.
“I’d say we had an excellent performance,” he said. “Di Biagio was already booked and I had to replace him.
“When we conceded the unfortunate second goal I tried a last desperate throw of the dice with Massimo Marazzina, but it wasn’t enough.
“These were the players at my disposal and we had many injuries. I tried including Massimo Maccarone and even Vincenzo Montella wasn’t 100% fit.”
