Mark Hughes prides himself not just on building one of the best teams in Welsh history but on bringing all the preparations up to the highest standards.

Things like making sure that training pitches are up to scratch and that kit and bibs are ready, all the little details that, when not attended to properly, can send players like Roy Keane into a rage.

Hughes does not do rage, at least not off the pitch. But he was steaming inside when he could use only part of the ground for Monday's training when the Millennium Stadium roof was left open for 24 hours after he had issued instructions for it to be closed.

There does not seem to be much point building a stadium with a sliding roof if no one can be bothered to close it after a severe weather warning, particularly before a European Championship qualifier against Italy that represents Hughes's biggest challenge in his two-and-half years as national coach.

"It was annoying because it could have been avoided," he said. "And given the weather, it would make sense to close the roof for the game because our players want to play on a decent surface."

Italy travel to Cardiff supposedly in crisis, as only the Italians can be after taking four points from their first two games to lead Group Nine. After Saturday's disappointing draw with Yugoslavia, the manager Giovanni Trapattoni is said to be in danger of the sack if his team lose.

PROBABLE TEAMS

WALES (4-5-1): Jones; Delaney, Melville, Gabbidon, Speed; Davies, Savage, Johnson, Pembridge, Giggs; Hartson.

ITALY (4-4-2): Buffon; Zauri, Cannavaro, Nesta, Panucci; Gattuso, Tommasi or Di Biagio, Pirlo, Doni; Montello, Del Piero.

Guardian Service