Euro 2008 preview: Italy v Romania - Grosso slams fans
Published 00:00 13/06/08 By By Martin Lipton
Italy defender Fabio Grosso last night hit out at the furious criticism the Azzurri have faced as he told the furious fans: "Don't call us babies!"
Coach Roberto Donadoni was slaughtered after the defeat by Holland and faces the sack if the World Cup holders lose again.
Donadoni will make four changes, with Alessandro Del Piero coming off the bench to take over the captaincy from goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.
But left-back Grosso, who is one of those changes, has revealed the anger in the Italian camp at the backlash.
"We are not big babies the way some people have said," he said. "There have been some really nasty and pointless personal attacks.
"We can't make a mistake against Romania, but we're not afraid. We'll show you."
But Romania, unchanged from the side which drew with France, are in buoyant mood and coach Victor Piturca said: "We have several players who are Italian football experts so we're not worried."
Italy v Romania
Group C: tonight, Zurich, kick-off 5pm. Live ITV
LAST 3 MEETINGS:
7/10/00 Italy 3 Romania 0
24/03/01 Romania 0 Italy 2
16/11/03 Italy 1 Romania 0
Match Odds: Italy 4-6, Romania 4-1, Draw 11-5 .
Player To Watch Alessandro Del Piero - handed the armband and asked to rescue Roberto Donadoni after the Dutch debacle
