Azz-a-go hero Ciro is gunning for glory
CIRO IMMOBILE has his sights set on an Italian goal rush against whipping boys Liechtenstein tonight.
The Azzurri trail Group G leaders Spain only on goal difference.
Boss Gian Piero Ventura will go with an attacking 4-2-4 line-up in an all-out bid to close the eight-goal gap before the top two sides clash in September.
And Immobile does not regard it as an impossible task against Liechtenstein, who have shipped 19 goals in five group games.
“It’s difficult but we’ll try,” said the Lazio hitman, 27.
“We have to win and score as many goals as possible.
“Ventura has announced we will play with a 4-2-4 and he’s asked us to win and prepare well as we did the previous meeting when we scored four in half an hour – even if we stopped after that.
“There’s pressure and that’s right for a team such as Italy.
“To qualify for a World Cup is an extremely important thing and we have to find the energy to approach this match at 100 per cent.”
Although it will be tough to overtake Spain on goal difference, Immobile is hoping for a helping hand from Macedonia, who face the group leaders in Skopje at the same time.
“Macedonia are a tough team at home, we saw that the hard way,” said Immobile.
“Giorgio Chiellini is right when he said in these nine months with Ventura we have worked on our knowledge that we can play well and beat anybody.
“If we go behind against Spain we won’t have anything to lose. They stay calm in any situation while we look as though we’re struggling if we concede a shot on goal.
“We have to improve our mental profile.”
Veteran defender Chiellini, 32, said: “After the summer we have decisive matches waiting for us.
“Immediately there’s the Spain match which, with respect, is a match that we think we can win.
“It will be difficult but we can cause problems for Spain. We have different styles of play but there’s great players on both sides.
“If it does go badly, though, we will have two months to prepare for the play-off.
“Italy have avoided it for many years so we’ll have to be ready. In the end it just matters that you make the World Cup.
“We are facing a great side but we have our weapons and we’ll play without fear.”