Trapattoni hails Hughes

Giovanni Trapattoni today praised Mark Hughes for transforming Wales's fortunes.

The Welsh lead Group Nine by two points but Hughes was criticised for negative tactics in last month's 1-0 defeat to Serbia.

Defeat for Wales against Italy at the San Siro tomorrow in the Euro 2004 qualifier could lead to more criticism.

However, Italy coach Trapattoni-said: "Hughes has made good tactical decisions since taking over. I liked him as a player and I like him as a manager. I am not surprised Wales have done so well and Hughes deserves a lot of congratulations because he has done very well with his squad.

"His team are intelligent and aggressive and that is how I expect them to play against us." Trapattoni singled out striker John Hartson as Wales's main threat to his team and said he hoped the striker is lacking fitness after his recent back injury.

Italy striker Francesco Totti has a hip injury and his absence has meant a surprise call-up for Filippo Inzaghi. He is set to link up with Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri, who has been struggling with a knee injury but should play tomorrow. Azzurri defender Alessandro-Nesta said: "Not having Totti there makes things difficult for us.

"But we have grown a lot as a team in the last year and there is an enormous difference between this game and the one in Cardiff, which we lost 2-1."

Although there have been injury concerns over defenders Danny Gabbidon (heel) and Andy Melville (foot) and striker Craig Bellamy (knee) all are expected to be okay to face Italy.

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