Under-21 Soccer: Only a win will do against Italy

After a year-long campaign Israel's Under-21 team faces its moment of truth at Bloomfield Stadium on Wednesday night.

By ALLON SINAI
soccer ball 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
soccer ball 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
After a year-long campaign Israel's Under-21 team faces its moment of truth at Bloomfield Stadium on Wednesday night. Israel hosts Italy in the second leg of the 2009 European Championship playoff and, after recording a credible 0-0 draw in the first leg in Ancona on Saturday, knows that a home victory in front of a jam-packed stadium will book its place in next summer's big event for a second straight time. "When I look at these players I know I can count on them," Ivanir said ahead of Wednesday's crucial match. "I was slightly disappointed with the score in Italy because we weren't accurate enough in our attacking play. I hope we will play far better offensively on Wednesday." Ivanir has a full squad as his disposal for the second leg, but Italian coach Pierluigi Casiraghi will have to manage without at least five of his best players. The star of the team, Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, his teammate Claudio Marchisio and Sampdoria midfielder Daniele Dessena, are all missing through suspension, with defender Marco Andreolli out injured. Inter Milan starlet Mario Baloteli, who scored on his U21 debut against Greece last month, missed out on the first leg because of flu, but should be fit for Wednesday. Baloteli could prove especially important for Casiraghi, as his team's biggest problem on Saturday was its lack of cutting edge. "We played well, but not brilliantly. We created a number of chances but didn't score," the former Italy international said. "I think we did what we had to. We dominated the game except for the second part of the first half. Unfortunately a lot of players will be missing for the return leg, but we hope to have Mario Balotelli back." Israel's attacking play will also be crucially important on Wednesday and Barcelona B forward Gai Assulin, who will play a vital role on offense, was confident the team will get the job done in the return leg. "We have a chance to do something wonderful and I think we will do it," Assulin said. "Our attacking play in Italy was untidy, but I believe that at home we will improve in that area. We need to believe in ourselves because we're capable of getting the better of Italy."