Italy and the Republic of Ireland were drawn with world and European champions Spain in Friday's Euro 2012 draw -- but it was each other that they were most hoping to avoid.
Ireland are coached by legendary Italian boss Giovanni Trapattoni and both he and Italy opposite number Cesare Prandelli said that was the one draw they were hoping to sidestep.
"Italy were the one team we wanted to avoid for many reasons, they're mentally strong and obviously I know them well," said Trapattoni.
"Given where we are in the world rankings, being drawn against Italy and Spain we know it's tough but we just have to play them."
Trapattoni's team will end their Group C campaign against Italy in Poznan and the veteran coach said that's not ideal as they could be competing for qualification.
"I hope we won't harm each other's chances, however, it's not impossible that we could both arrive at that match in a tranquil position," he said.
Prandelli concurred with his mentor.
"All the teams are difficult, we didn't want to draw Trapattoni for many reasons but we must arrive prepared because it's a very difficult group," he said.
"We'll need courage because we've been performing well enough. We know we have the world and European champions and they have a lot of experience so we have to be prepared mentally."
Italy and Ireland met in the qualifying stages ahead of last year's World Cup in South Africa, with the southern Europeans topping the group and heading to the finals.
However, Ireland beat Italy 1-0 at the 1994 World Cup, although both qualified from their group and Italy went on to reach the final while the Republic lost to Holland in the second round.
The other team in the group is Croatia, who reached the Euro quarter-finals four years ago before losing to Turkey.
Prandelli believes physical conidition will play a major part in who, as he expects, joins Spain in qualifying from Group C.
"It depends on the physical condition, (Ireland and Croatia) are two very different teams but knowing Trapattoni he'll fight to the very last second."
Prandelli, who revealed his team will set up its base in Krakow iohn Poland, said he hopes to have injured forward pair Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi back for the finals.
"They started well and we hope to get them both back as soon as possible to understand where we can go from there," he said.
Source: AFP
