Rome, June 25 - Italy on Friday mourned the humbling of what was described as its worst ever national team after the holders' lost 3-2 to Slovakia to bow out of the World Cup at the bottom of Group F.''Azzurri, shame and tears,'' read the front page of Rome-based daily La Repubblica, as the Italian media laid into coach Marcello Lippi's winless side with the same zeal with which they had celebrat
(By Paul Virgo) Rome, June 23 - Italy's World Cup match against Slovakia was at the centre of a political storm on Wednesday when Reform Minister Umberto Bossi was pressured into apologising for suggesting the holders would fix Thursday's do-or-die clash.''They'll buy it,'' Bossi said Tuesday in reference to the Azzurri's final Group F match, which they must win to be sure of progressing after di
Rome, June 23 - Reform Minister Umberto Bossiapologised on Wednesday for saying Italy would ''buy''Thursday's do-or-die match against Slovakia to make theknock-out stages of the World Cup.''They'll buy it,'' Bossi said Tuesday in reference to theAzzurri's final Group F match, which they must win to be sure ofprogressing after 1-1 draws with Paraguay and New Zealand.''Next season you'll see that t
Rome, May 31 - Future Italy boss Cesare Prandelliis expected to give overlooked rebels Antonio Cassano and MarioBalotelli a chance when he replaces Marcello Lippi after theWorld Cup.The now ex-Fiorentina coach agreed to sign a four-year dealat a meeting on Sunday with Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC)chief Giancarlo Abete, with a salary reportedly in the region ofone million euros plus bonuses.Pra
Rome, May 28 - Italy again missed out in a bid tohost soccer's European championships on Friday, finishing lastin a three-way battle for Euro 2016 won by favourites France.Italy, who also failed to land Euro 2012 after a joint bidby Poland and Ukraine prevailed in a shock decision, went out inthe first round of voting, claiming 23 votes to France's 43 and38 for the other candidate, Turkey.France
Rome, May 24 - Italy will be in good hands ifFiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli replaces Marcello Lippi afterthe World Cup, captain Fabio Cannavaro said on Monday.Lippi, who led the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup crownfour years ago, is expected to step down after this year'sfinals in South Africa and the Italian Soccer Federationapproached Prandelli about the job last week. I like him a lot,
MILAN, May 20 - Italy want Fiorentina coach CesarePrandelli to succeed Marcello Lippi as national team managerafter the World Cup, his Serie A club said on Thursday.Lippi has long hinted he will step down after the tournamentstarting next month in South Africa. Fiorentina said in a statement the Italian soccer federationhad been in contact about Prandelli's availability and thedecision rests wi
Rome, May 20 - Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandellihas been approached by the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC)about the possibility of replacing Azzurri boss Marcello Lippiafter the World Cup, the Serie A club confirmed on Thursday.Italian media reported that Prandelli was close to reachingan agreement to take over the national team after talks onWednesday, with Lippi expected to step down after his