U21: Reds go head-to-head
Nani may face new United team-mate Giuseppe Rossi as Portugal and
Italy do battle for a slot at next year's Olympic Games on Thursday
night.
The flying winger, who has agreed to join United from Sporting
Lisbon, suffered an ankle injury in Portugal's 4-0 win over Israel
last Saturday, but is expected to be risked by Portuguese coach
José Couceiro.
Rossi is expected to feature for Italy after catching the eye
throughout the Azzurini's European U21 Championship campaign,
scoring his maiden international goal against the Czech Republic in
his last outing.
All four semi-finalists at the U21 Championship - Holland, Serbia,
Belgium and England - are ensured a berth at the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. However, England's confirmed absence from next year's
Games has opened up a window of opportunity for both Portugal and
Italy, who were eliminated at the group stage.
Stuart Pearce's side will not take up their slot in Beijing, as
England will instead form part of a Great British side. As such,
their berth will be awarded to the winner of Thursday's tie.
