15/04/2002

INZAGHI PLEADS FOR ITALY START BEFORE WORLD CUP

Filippo Inzaghi has pleaded with Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni for a start in the friendly against Uruguay on Wednesday so he can push for a World Cup place.

"I would like to begin the match, but it is all up to the manager," said the AC Milan forward, who is not long back after a four-month lay-off to get over a knee injury.

"My whole season has been compromised by injuries," added Inzaghi, who admits he is struggling with his fitness in the busy run-in, having missed so many games.

"I could not do anything about the ligament injury, but now I have a few muscle problems due to the intensity of our schedule. I missed four months and maybe now I am playing too much. I was tired on Sunday (in the 1-0 defeat at Juventus)

"But I miss football and now I feel OK. I am ready to go back into the national team," he explained.

Milan lost valuable ground at the weekend in the race for the fourth Champions' League place on offer in Serie A and Inzaghi accepts the forthcoming match against high-flying Roma is now a must-win.

"It's the only way to reach fourth place," he acknowledged. "I hope Inter beat Chievo, although the Nerazzurri winning the Scudetto might present a problem for us.

"Both matches will be very complicated. I can't say what will happen," he added.

[Onefootball.com]