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Amo is all set to fire
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 7th Aug 2003.
BIG Lorenzo Amoruso is determined to beat the clock and make his Ewood Park bow against his fellow countrymen on Sunday.
Amoruso is confident of shrugging off a niggling knee injury in time to face top Italian outfit Chievo Verona (kick-off 4pm) in the final - and most prestigious friendly - of Blackburn Rovers' hectic pre-season.
The enthusiastic defender, who missed last night's 3-2 victory in Ireland as a precaution, says the clash with Chievo is just the sort of game Rovers need with the Premiership season a week away.
"Chievo are a very good team with talented players and a growing reputation and they stand in Italy where Blackburn stand in England.
"Both clubs have established themselves at top level over the past couple of seasons not just in their own domestic game but also in Europe.
"When I played for Fiorentina a few years ago, Chievo were in the Second Division and not a club you heard much about. All that has changed now and they have worked hard to reach the top.
"Like all successful teams they have realised that you must have a mix of quality and commitment as one without the other is no good."
Amoruso says he is particularly looking forward to setting foot on the home turf as Rovers step up their preparations ahead of the first Premiership game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday week.
"It will be a good feeling, but this is a very exciting time for me anyway. During my time in Italy I was used to playing big games against top players week in and week out and that is what the Premiership promises again.
"The main thing now is for all the players to remain focussed on the job ahead. Preparations have gone well, although some of the results might have been better, but the big stuff is upon us now.
"Chievo is a perfect game at just the right time as we strive to make sure we are 100 per cent ready for Wolves."
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