Conte: Croatia, Norway will push us
Italy coach Antonio Conte admits the Azzurri could be pushed all the way by Croatia and Norway as they look to secure one of the top two places from Group H in qualifying for the 2016 UEFA European Championships.
Conte's side had to settle for a 2-2 draw away to Bulgaria in their fifth match, a result which left them in second place at two points behind leaders Croatia. Italy remain unbeaten but with Norway in third place at just two points adrift, the former Juventus coach said after their draw in Sofia: "We'll be pushed all the way for qualification from the group by Croatia and Norway. "But I'm not surprised at all about Croatia topping the group. In many aspects they're currently stronger than us."
Although Italy will be expected to achieve qualification from a Group H which also includes Azerbaijan and Malta, the big test of their European credentials could come on Tuesday when they host England for a friendly in Turin. England travel to Italy on the back of a one-sided 4-0 win over EURO 2016 Group E rivals Lithuania, in which Tottenham sensation Harry Kane scored only 80 seconds after coming off the bench to make his England debut.
With Danny Welbeck sidelined with a knee injury and Daniel Sturridge succumbing to a hip problem, Kane is in contention to start alongside England's only other fit striker, Wayne Rooney, at Juventus Stadium. Group E leaders England are expected to prove to be a more difficult opponent than Bulgaria, but Conte insists he will be using the occasion to further test the players he has recently drafted into his squad.
"Tonight's game was more important because we needed the points," added Conte when asked about Tuesday's game. "In Turin I will also try out some of the players I called up to the squad."