Swans stepping it up - Jenkins

Swans stepping it up - Jenkins

Published Jun. 30, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Uruguay will take on Italy in the third-place play-off game in the Confederations Cup on Sunday.

The South Americans were stung by Paulinho's late header as hosts Brazil booked their place in the final while Spain trumped Italy in a dramatic penalty shoot-out which saw 12 spot-kicks hit the back of the net before Leonardo Bonucci's fateful miss.

The Juventus defender then watched on helplessly as Jesus Navas converted penalty number 14, and the 26-year-old has vowed to perfect his technique before next summer's World Cup finals.

"I plan to spend the next year practising penalties because I don't want to run the risk of the same thing happening at the World Cup," he told La Repubblica Sport.

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"I was confident standing in front of the ball but when I realised (goalkeeper Iker) Casillas knew where I was going I lost my cool. I tried to change my shot to lift the ball a bit more and I put too much on it.

"You all saw what happened."

Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli tried to take the positives from his side's disappointing exit from the competition, saying: "It's been a great test.

"I would also say it's been a great experience because we've come up against some of the best sides in the world.

"We know now what kind of environment and climate to expect in 12 months' time. It's not like Europe over here, you can fly for three hours between cities and still be in the same country.

"Italy always like to be the surprise package and even if we start off on a lower rung to everybody else we can still assert ourselves."

Bonucci's Juve team-mates Andrea Barzagli and Andrea Pirlo have been ruled out of contention in Salvador due to injury, while striker Alberto Gilardino picked up a knock against Spain, perhaps leaving the door open for AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy.

Uruguay are likely to stick with the three-pronged strikeforce of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan although it is Abel Hernandez who has the best chance of beating Spain's Fernando Torres to the Golden Boot.

The Palermo striker may be just one goal shy of the Chelsea man's five-goal tally but Italy's defence is in good shape and became the first to keep a clean sheet against Spain in 16 games.

The Seasiders reportedly turned down an offer of resignation from Ince on Friday, with the club moving to stress he remains in charge.

Blackpool are currently at a training camp in Portugal and Ince told the club's website that he is in constant discussion with chairman Karl Oyston regarding strengthening their squad.

"We're going to have to try and bring in seven or eight players in the space of three weeks and try and get them used to the way we're playing," said Ince.

"It will take time, we just have to get on with it. I want to be competitive, I want a competitive team and I want to go into every game next year thinking we've got a chance of winning.

"Therefore, because we're short on numbers, you can't just jump to anyone that's free and that wants to come to Blackpool.

"The chairman understands where I'm at with it, and my relationship with the chairman is fantastic, second to none. One on one we get on really great.

"As a manager you have different opinions and we'd never agree on everything. We agree on most things but we'll never agree on everything.

"Some of the things he thinks are right, I think are wrong and probably vice-versa. That's part of the relationship you have with people, you have to put your views across and ultimately he makes the final decision."

The Swans have already been busy in the transfer market since the end of last season, agreeing deals to bring in Jordi Amat and Jose Canas, as well as extending Jonathan de Guzman's loan from Villarreal for a second season.

They are also thought to be edging closer to a big-money move, reportedly around £10.2million, to bring in Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem.

Jenkins insists Swansea were always prepared to spend heavily this summer, but they will be careful not to break their wage structure.

"We have been profitable over the last couple of years by signing the right player who we believe is right for our club," he explained in the South Wales Evening Post.

"We weren't not going to do that; it's obviously finding the right one that we believe is coming here for the right reasons and then we would pay the required fee to make sure we got that player to help the club to go forward.

"That hasn't changed for us, it's just the way we run the club is permitting us to look at those type of players which in the past we couldn't.

"We have gone after a different level of player for us as a club and I think again that is another learning experience in terms of dealing with other clubs and other agents."

Jenkins added: "We have gone more into the foreign market looking at players and there is a lot of detail attached to that which is surprising compared to how things work in our country with players and agents.

"I think we have got to watch we don't get too caught up with that, otherwise it could set our club back many, many years.

"As I said, we have got make sure that we make the right decisions which are right for our football club first and foremost.

"You have got to make sure that you control the club and make the right decision that the players are right for the club."

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