BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Wales | Zola fears Millennium factor

Wales v Italy | Wed 16 October Kick-off 1945 BST | Live on BBC Wales, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sport Online

Gianfranco Zola believes the highly charged atmosphere of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium could be Wales' trump card against Italy.

The former Azzurri striker, who played at the stadium for Chelsea in last season's FA Cup final, fears the Italians will be overawed in Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier.

It's the most keenly anticipated Wales match for years. Tickets sold out weeks ago, and the fans are already dreaming of a famous victory.

Wales captain Gary Speed leads the team out at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
The Millennium Stadium fans will be in full voice
And Zola, capped 35 times by his country, says the match is too close to call.

"It's very, very difficult," he told BBC Wales Sport.

"Keeping in mind the Italian national team at the moment is superior to the Welsh team - that should give them an advantage.

"But they're going to be playing in Cardiff in a fantastic stadium and I'm pretty sure the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable.

"That should level the situation. So I don't know, I cannot say anything because I'm sure it's going to be wrong."

The two sides could not have more contrasting fortunes at the moment.

Wales are on a high having stretched their unbeaten run to six matches after beating Finland in last month's opening Euro 2004 qualifier.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni
Under pressure: Italy coach Trapattoni
Italy, though, are in turmoil and have won just two of their last nine games under coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

The press are calling for him to resign and the domestic game has been dogged by doping, match-fixing, hooliganism, racism and false passports.

The 1-1 home draw against Yugoslavia on Saturday sent Italy to the top of Pool Nine.

But Trapattoni apologised for his side's inept performance and has a crippling injury list as he prepares for Wednesday's match.

Zola admits the players are struggling.

"It's not easy to prepare for games in this kind of situation because when you play football you need enthusiasm, you need trust behind you," he said.

"So its certainly not an easy time for Italian football at the moment. But Italian teams are strange.

"Sometimes in this kind of situation, they are even more dangerous - they just bounce back.

Mark Hughes is a winner and I'm sure he's going to give the team that mentality

Gianfranco Zola

"And also I think in football, like in many other sports, there are ups and downs. But now I think the Italian team is too down."

Zola played with Wales manager Mark Hughes at Chelsea.

He has the utmost respect for Hughes and what he has achieved during his short reign as Wales boss.

"They have very important players in the Premiership," Zola said of the Welsh team.

"Obviously their experience and quality is going to be very helpful for the other players to improve.

"And also above all, they have a great coach.

"He is a man with huge experience. He's a winner and I'm sure he's going to give the team that mentality which will get the results."


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