channel4.com - Football Italia




Coupet sees Grosso danger	Sunday 15 June, 2008

France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet is already panicking over facing Lyon teammate Fabio Grosso. “Fabio is my great friend, but I am always explaining to my colleagues that they must not let him get to the byeline,” warned the shot-stopper. Grosso moved to Olympique Lyonnais last year and helped the club to win a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title. The left-back is set to start for Italy in Tuesday’s crunch match against France and Coupet knows the dangers all too well. “We nicknamed him Monsieur Prope,” smiled the goalkeeper in a reference to the French version of Mr Sheen. “He has a magic left foot and always serves perfectly clean assists. Great scoring opportunities are bound to be sparked from his feet.”

What happens: Italy qualify if... It is out of the Azzurri’s hands, but they could reach the Euro 2008 quarter-finals even with a draw. More Michel to referee Italy-France The referee assigned to Italy’s showdown with France is Lubos Michel, who also officiated their last meeting in 2007. More Ref Ovrebo admits Toni error Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo has admitted he “made a mistake” in disallowing Luca Toni’s goal against Romania. More Buffon: "I fear another fix" Gianluigi Buffon warns he “couldn’t stand another fix like four years ago” as suspicion surrounds Holland-Romania. More Abete "worried" by Holland-Romania FIGC President Giancarlo Abete added to the controversy by insisting it was “natural” to be worried by Holland’s meeting with Romania. More Don trusts honest Holland Roberto Donadoni has confidence Holland will be “fair and honest” in the potentially decisive encounter with Romania. More UEFA encourage Dutch defeat UEFA spokesman William Gaillard has given Holland the go-ahead to field a second string side against Romania. More