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Inzaghi ready to establish himself
REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy -- Striker Filippo Inzaghi will be given another opportunity to establish himself as Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni's first choice striker when he lines up alongside Christian Vieri in attack against Azerbaijan on Saturday. Italy must defeat Group Nine's bottom team to be sure of finishing ahead of Wales and gaining automatic qualification for the European championships in Portugal next year. Inzaghi lost his place until an injury to Francesco Totti allowed him to make a comeback in the September qualifiers. The AC Milan striker took his chance with a hat-trick in the 4-0 canter against Wales and was also on target in the 1-1 draw against in Belgrade. Totti is fit for Saturday's game but Inzaghi's former Juventus team mate Alessandro Del Piero is not and the Inzaghi-Vieri partnership will be renewed against the Azeris. "I'm hoping for a 2-0 win with a goal for myself and one for Bobo (Vieri)," said Inzaghi, "Apart from a pre-World Cup friendly we have never scored in the same game." Although it is an injury to a team mate that has again given Inzaghi a chance, the forward says he does not feel on trial. "I am always calm and serene when I am with Italy and I have had some great experiences with the side. Trapattoni has an embarrassment of riches in attack and anyone could be left out. "The important thing, as the last two games showed, is to be ready at the right moment. Everyone has to fight for their shirt and Trapattoni doesn't gift you anything," adds the striker. The match should be a formality for the Italians against an Azeri side they beat 2-0 in Baku in the opening qualifier but defender Alessandro Nesta acknowledges that no risks can be taken.
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