With four goals in two games Italy striker Filippo Inzaghi has helped his team to within a step of a place in the Euro 2004 finals but also given his coach Giovanni Trapattoni a headache for the last qualifier.

Inzaghi opened the scoring in Italy's 1-1 draw with Serbia and Montenegro on Wednesday, with a goal that showed his noted ability to squeeze past the final defender and find the target.

The goal came four days after he struck a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Wales that sent the Azzurri top of Group Nine.

Wednesday's result means the Italians, runners-up in 2000, now have a guaranteed playoff place at worst.

If as expected they win their last game, at home to bottom team Azerbaijan on October 11, Italy will secure top spot, ahead of Wales, who to the delight of the Italians drew 1-1 with Finland on Wednesday in Cardiff.

Prior to Saturday's triple, Inzaghi had not scored for his country since a game against Lithuania in March 2001.

The AC Milan forward was not even included in the squad for August's friendly against Germany and won back his place only thanks to an injury to AS Roma's Francesco Totti.

Totti should be back for the against Azerbaijan and if Christian Vieri and Alessandro Del Piero also steer clear of injuries, Inzaghi's four goals may not be enough to earn him a starting place.

"That is a matter for the gaffer. Real Madrid play with a lot of forwards but of course you need some balance," said Inzaghi.

"I am sure that Trapattoni would rather have problems of abundance," he added.

"We welcome Totti back with open arms. All I can say is that in this team if someone has to go on the bench they won't make a problem out of it."

SCORING SPREE

That sentiment will be exactly what Trapattoni wants to hear and Inzaghi's diplomatic skills were also evident as he paid tribute to his team mates for their role in his scoring spree.

"It is easy to play when you have players like Bobo (Vieri) and Ale (Del Piero) alongside you," he said.

Inzaghi's problem is that Trapattoni appears to have settled on a successful formula of operating Totti and Del Piero behind Vieri.

As a striker who likes to play on the last line of defence, if he is competing directly with anyone for a place it is likely to be Vieri.

But Inzaghi says he and the team are now focused on the game against Azerbaijan in Reggio Calabria which should ensure the Italians book their place in next summer's finals.

"Now we know simply that if we win, we are in Portugal. That is something that means a lot to us."

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