ROME - Italy's World Cup players have returned home after their early exitin South Africa, amid indifference from fans and a few insults.Players who landed at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport Saturday morning werelargely ignored.A small group of fans shouted 'Shame on You!' as thefootballers and coach Marcello Lippi walked in the terminal. Other players traveled on to Milan's Malpensa, where vi
Rome, June 25 - Italian football must change fast orrisk a long barren spell, under-fire outgoing captain FabioCannavaro said Friday following the holders' humiliating WorldCup exit.The Azzurri slumped out of South Africa winless at thebottom of Group F after Thursday's 3-2 defeat to Slovakia,prompting Italian media to brand them the worst Azzurri sideever.''We have to turn a new leaf,'' Italy's
Outgoing Italy coach Marcello Lippi insists he is to blame after the 2006 winners were sent crashing out of the 2010 World Cup in the group stages.Italy finished bottom of Group F after a 3-2 defeat by Slovakia on Thursday. I take all responsibility for what happened, said the 62-year-old, who is to be succeeded by Cesare Prandelli. If a team turns up with terror in their heart and legs, and is
Rome, June 24 - Holders Italy slumped out of the World Cup in ignominious fashion on Thursday when they deservedly lost 3-2 to Slovakia to bow out at the bottom of Group F.''I obviously didn't prepare the side as I should have,'' outgoing coach Marcello Lippi told a news conference.''I would never have expected my team to play as they did in the first half.''I'm sorry that my experience with the
The World Cup is no place for defending champions, with only Italy in 1938 and in 1962 repeating.The Azzurri are facing an early, ignominious departure from if they don't beat Slovakia on Thursday.Sure, a draw could push the Italians into the second round from Group F, but only if Paraguay beats New Zealand is that assured.A win keeps Italy alive. We're worried, midfielder Daniele De Rossi sai
IRENE, South Africa - If struggling Italy can't manage to beat Slovakia onThursday, the Azzurri could match France's unenviable feat from the 2002 WorldCup and exit the group stage as defending champion.'We're worried,' midfielder Daniele De Rossi said.'I said it before andI'll say it again.If we don't make it past the first round it would be afailure.'Italy's forwards have had trouble finding t
By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer=The reigning World Cup champions have one final match to try to avoid an embarrassing early exit.A victory will be enough to send Italy through to the knockout phase when it takes on last-place Slovakia in the Group F finale for both teams Thursday at Johannesburg.Italy's stunning 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Sunday has left qualification in doubt for t
Rome, June 21 - Italy coach Marcello Lippi said his side must put their disappointing start behind them and imagine the World Cup starts now after Sunday's dire 1-1 draw with New Zealand left the holders' in a precarious position.The Azzurri must win Thursday's final Group F game against Slovakia to be sure to qualify for the knockout stage after they were also held by the same scoreline by Parag