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Barone ready for Aussie role Saturday 24 June, 2006
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Simone Barone made his World Cup debut this week and hopes to add another appearance against Australia.
“I am happy, as it’s always the ultimate dream for every player to represent your country at the World Cup,” exclaimed the Palermo midfielder. “I am happy to have achieved this career high.”
He made this dream come true when coming on for the final 17 minutes of the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday.
With Daniele De Rossi suspended for four games and Simone Perrotta still dealing with a niggling injury, his chances of featuring in the second round clash with Australia have been boosted.
“It’s only normal that a team must have a basic skeleton to rely upon. The important thing is to train hard and then, if you are given the opportunity to play, it’s the icing on the cake.”
Barone played an important part in the Azzurri’s second goal against the Czechs, as Pippo Inzaghi dummied a pass to him before waltzing round Petr Cech, although some expected him to roll it across for the Palermo man.
“I sprinted up there to give him a hand, but Pippo chose another option,” he explained. “He did well and I’m very happy he scored. Of course he wanted the goal more because he’d just missed two chances, so he was hungry for it. I admit I thought about scoring it myself for a moment. My teammates made fun of me because I ran 50 metres up the pitch for nothing!”
Now that they have negotiated the group phase unbeaten, Italy will take on Guus Hiddink’s Australia on Monday in Kaiserslautern.
“They are an excellent squad. I watched all three of their games and they are very organised. It’ll be difficult, so we must stay focused, but we have respect rather than fear.”
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Simone Barone made his World Cup debut this week and hopes to add another appearance against Australia.
“I am happy, as it’s always the ultimate dream for every player to represent your country at the World Cup,” exclaimed the Palermo midfielder. “I am happy to have achieved this career high.”
He made this dream come true when coming on for the final 17 minutes of the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday.
With Daniele De Rossi suspended for four games and Simone Perrotta still dealing with a niggling injury, his chances of featuring in the second round clash with Australia have been boosted.
“It’s only normal that a team must have a basic skeleton to rely upon. The important thing is to train hard and then, if you are given the opportunity to play, it’s the icing on the cake.”
Barone played an important part in the Azzurri’s second goal against the Czechs, as Pippo Inzaghi dummied a pass to him before waltzing round Petr Cech, although some expected him to roll it across for the Palermo man.
“I sprinted up there to give him a hand, but Pippo chose another option,” he explained. “He did well and I’m very happy he scored. Of course he wanted the goal more because he’d just missed two chances, so he was hungry for it. I admit I thought about scoring it myself for a moment. My teammates made fun of me because I ran 50 metres up the pitch for nothing!”
Now that they have negotiated the group phase unbeaten, Italy will take on Guus Hiddink’s Australia on Monday in Kaiserslautern.
“They are an excellent squad. I watched all three of their games and they are very organised. It’ll be difficult, so we must stay focused, but we have respect rather than fear.”
