Tuesday, 19th November, 2013
Emanuele Giaccherini is hoping his goal against Nigeria last night went some way to boosting his Brazil 2014 bid, especially with the doubts that followed his move to Sunderland.
Giaccherini scored the equaliser for Italy against Nigeria in a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage, after being an unused substitute in the friendly against Germany.
Giaccherini's agent had claimed after the move in July that Sunderland would, in fact, provide more regular football than his client enjoyed at Juventus.
Giaccherini has made eight Premier League appearances with two goals – including one against Liverpool – and told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I just hope to continue to do well and win a place for the tournament in Brazil.
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"I am delighted with my performances and those of the team. It's a pity that just when we were playing at our best, Nigeria scored twice.
"We really wanted to do well in our last friendly and I think we handed a good performance. I believe that when the important games begin Italy will be ready."
Giaccherini, who has 18 Italy caps, is contracted at Sunderland until 2017 and has also turned out for the Black Cats in the League Cup with two games and a goal.
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