GROUP F: SLOVAKIA v ITALY:Coach lets fly at TV journalist as pressure on ahead of must-win game against Italy, who have their own troubles

HOW MANY football coaches will end up on the psychiatrist’s couch after this tournament is over? Slovakia’s Vladimir Weiss is the latest tactician to betray the pressures of the tournament when he let fly at a television journalist in a routine press conference before today’s match against world champions Italy.

Slovakia, paired with the Republic of Ireland in Group B for Euro 2012, need to somehow beat the Italians if their tournament is not to come to an end at Ellis Park. They were dismal against Paraguay, with their defence easily unlocked by the nimble South Americans, who scored two goals and had to deal with only one meaningful attack by Slovakia.

It was on the question of his selection policies for that defeat that Weiss saw red, first of all shouting what translated as “Thank You. Let’s Go. F***ing faggots,” before returning to threaten the man from Markiza television.

Weiss, a defender who played in Italia ’90 for Czechoslovakia, was contrite upon mature reflection but didn’t apologise.

“I am really sorry for what happened and I am sorry for the relationship we are having at the moment but I can’t apologise. I am in football for people who like us, who love football and respect this game.”

Weiss is no stranger to emotional outbursts and yesterday, his players rushed to assure the public their man was not suffering a Domenech-ian meltdown.

“Things are very calm,” said experienced defender Martin Petras. “Yesterday there was a particular situation in the press room. I haven’t seen it, I only read about it on the internet. These things happen because the tension was a bit high after the match. I don’t know what questions they asked him but there is nothing against us.”

The Italians have not set the world alight in the early stages of the tournament but then they looked laboured and ordinary in their group games in Germany four years ago also. The difference is Fabio Cannavaro is four years older now and Fabio Grosso, such a splendid attacking left back threat for the Italians during their victorious surge, was left out of the squad by Marcello Lippi.

Domenico Criscito may surrender his place at left back, with Christian Maggio coming in on the right and Gianluca Zambrotta moving across.

There has been some speculation he will return to another of the old guard, Gennaro Gattuso, in a bid to improve the work-rate and aggression of his midfield. But a more likely change will see Andrea Pirlo – l’archietto – return after injury and bring a more unpredictable dimension to his team.

Italy have looked rusty at both ends of the field, conceding early goals to Paraguay and New Zealand and struggling to establish even a pale resemblance to the attacking smoothness both Argentina and Brazil have demonstrated.

Antonio Di Natalie and Giampaolo Pazzini will lead from the front, with Alberto Gilardino returning to the bench after his blunt performances.

Miroslav Stoch, the 20-year-old who spent a season with Chelsea, will add some ambition to the Slovakian midfield but apart from that there is not much Weiss can do to improve his mood.

Yesterday, he emphasised the importance of Marek Hansik, the Napoli midfielder who has been a subdued presence so far. But the Slovakians can afford to throw caution to the wind here. Nothing short of victory will do.

The daft comment by Umberto Bossi, the Italian minister who joked Italy would “buy” victory from the Slovakians was just the sort of international insult that can come back to haunt a country. Plus, if nothing else, Bossi was risking a visit from the wrathful Weiss.

“I see it as a small provocation or a small joke,” Weiss said, suddenly the voice of diplomacy. “I don’t know this Italian minister. I don’t take it seriously. We are playing against the holders of the cup here so it is going to be a difficult match. We want to be bold but rational.”

It could be a recipe for fun but no shocks. Italy to plod on and show some interest next week.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ITALY: Marchetti; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito; Montolivo, De Rossi, Pirlo, Iaquinta; Pazzini, Di Natale.

SLOVAKIA: Mucha; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Cech; Strba, Weiss, Stoch, Hansik; Vittek, Sestak.