MILAN (Reuters) - Italy midfield Daniele De Rossi thinks the old cliches about giving 110 percent and asking for the backing of the supporters did not apply to their World Cup qualifying playoff against Sweden. Admitting that failure to qualify would be a black mark on his career, the 34-year-old said blood and guts would not be enough to ensure Italy maintain their record of being at every World Cup since 1962. "These are two games where we cannot make mistakes," De Rossi, a World Cup winner in 2006, told reporters on Wednesday. "Personally, it would be wonderful to get to my fourth World Cup, even though I don't know if I will play a big part." The World Cup is a something that nobody wants to miss."

Source: The Star November 08, 2017 17:26 UTC