Italy

Jorginho gets his first competitive start for Italy with Manolo Gabbiadini and Alessandro Florenzi for the World Cup play-off against Sweden. It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT,…

Giancarlo Antognoni feels “Italy are gambling with World Cup qualification, but also their reputation” against Sweden. The Azzurri lost the first leg 1-0 in Solna on Friday, so must win…

Ciccio Graziani “cannot understand” Italy Coach Giampiero Ventura’s picks against Sweden. “Just put every player in their own position.” The Azzurri lost the first leg 1-0 in Solna on Friday,…

Italy are expected to start Jorginho, Alessandro Florenzi and Manolo Gabbiadini in the decisive World Cup play-off against Sweden. The Azzurri lost the first leg 1-0 in Solna on Friday…

Eusebio Di Francesco hopes Italy will replicate the 1982 World Cup experience tonight against Sweden. “When nobody believes in the Nazionale…” The Azzurri lost the first leg of their play-off…

Paolo Maldini “daren’t imagine a World Cup without Italy, as we are vastly superior to Sweden,” but reveals he would love a Federation job. The Azzurri lost the first leg…

Luigi Di Biagio suggests he would be interested in becoming Italy’s next Coach but insists “it’s not something to talk about right now.” Di Biagio has been put forward as…

Mario Balotelli insists he ‘respects’ his absence from the Italy squad and tells Sweden rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic, “we’ll beat you!” Balotelli has not been picked by Italy for three years,…

Juventus boss Max Allegri is reportedly in contention to replace Giampiero Ventura if Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the FIGC are hoping…

Jorginho’s agent claims his ‘fate’ was to play in the second leg of Italy’s World Cup playoff against Sweden on Monday. Jorginho was called up to the Italy squad for…

Luca Toni feels Bayern Munich sacking Carlo Ancelotti was the right call but admits Italy “would be in a real mess if they didn’t qualify” for the World Cup. Bayern…

Genoa boss Davide Ballardini reveals he has not talked to his Swedish wife since Italy’s 1-0 defeat on Friday. Italy must beat Sweden by two clear goals on Tuesday to…

Dino Zoff claims he finds talk of exaggerated criticism towards Giampiero Ventura ‘funny’. “If I remember what they said about poor Enzo Bearzot…” Bearzot guided Italy to glory at the…

Alessandro Del Piero is confident Italy have “no problems in attack” for Sweden on Monday, explaining Giampiero Ventura “has real options” at his disposal. Italy are considered to have less…

Gianluca Vialli insists Giampiero Ventura “knows what to do” against Sweden and that Italy “made them look better than they actually are.” Italy must beat Sweden by two clear goals…

Alessandro Del Piero admits he ‘hopes’ former Juventus teammate Antonio Conte can return to Italy after his spell with Chelsea. Calls are mounting for Conte to replace Giampiero Ventura, with…

Italy striker-turned-rock musician Dani Osvaldo says “I like to drink whiskey, smoke a cigarette and do rock and roll, but only whenever I can.” Osvaldo retired from football last year…

Italy are expected to give Jorginho and Manolo Gabbiadini rare competitive starts in the decisive World Cup play-off against Sweden. The Azzurri lost the first leg 1-0 in Solna on…

World Cup winner Marco Materazzi sent a message to the Italy squad ahead of their play-off with Sweden. “We are all playing tomorrow.” The Azzurri lost the first leg 1-0…

Andrea Barzagli called for Italy and the fans to find “unity” ahead of the World Cup play-off against Sweden. “We all want to go to Russia.” Having lost the first…