Italy

With Marco Verratti suspended, Italy could go 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 in the second leg of the World Cup play-off against Sweden. It kicks off at San Siro on Monday at…

CONI President Giovanni Malagò urged Italy Coach Giampiero Ventura to “learn from all the mistakes” in the World Cup play-off with Sweden. The 1-0 defeat in Solna last night, decided…

Andrea Stramaccioni warns Giampiero Ventura cannot be expected to use a 4-3-3 system for Italy and he wouldn’t want Lorenzo Insigne. The Azzurri Coach has come under fire for his…

X-Rays showed Leonardo Bonucci fractured his nose after an elbow from Ola Toivonen, but should still play for Italy against Sweden on Monday. The incident occurred in the opening minute…

Damiano Tommasi believes Italy have a “50 per cent chance” of qualifying for the World Cup, as Sweden “are a different team away from home.” The first leg of the…

FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio insists “this is not the time for words” after Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden. Jakob Johansson saw his shot deflected in off Daniele De…

Ternana Coach Sandro Pochesci went on a remarkable rant after Italy’s defeat to Sweden, who he claims are “on the level of a third division side.” The 1-0 loss in…

Antonio Candreva urged Italy fans to make San Siro “a cauldron” for the World Cup play-off against Sweden on Monday. The first leg ended 1-0 in Solna, meaning the Azzurri…

Paolo Di Canio says it would be a ‘disaster’ for Italian football if the Nazionale fail to qualify for the World Cup. Giampiero Ventura’s team are in danger of missing…

Match-winner Jakob Johansson says Leonardo Bonucci can ‘say what he wants’ after the Italy defender complained about Sweden’s physical tactics. Sweden were 1-0 winners in last night’s crucial World Cup…

Luigi Del Neri wants Italy’s players, coaches and fans to unite as one for the World Cup play-off return leg with Sweden. The Azzurri were beaten 1-0 in last night’s…

Gianni De Biasi believes Italy were ‘unlucky’ in their 1-0 defeat to Sweden and says the Azzurri should be optimistic about turning the tie around. Giampiero Ventura’s side have been…

Italy will still reach the 2018 World Cup with the help of the San Siro crowd, according to former Inter player Evaristo Beccalossi. The ex-Nerazzurri man was never capped at…

Roma great Francesco Totti admits the only regret of his career is that he ‘did not win much.’ The 41-year-old called time on his long playing career at the end…

While there are growing calls for Italy to hire Carlo Ancelotti, it’s reported Croatia are closer to the ex-Bayern Munich boss. The Azzurri are on the verge of failing to…

Italy tactical and personnel decisions caused confusion and consternation in the World Cup play-off with Sweden, writes Marcello Cossali-Francis. Sweden will take a 1-0 lead into the World Cup Play-Off…

A moment from Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden has gone viral, as Lorenzo Insigne tried to explain to teammates why he was in midfield. The 1-0 loss in…

Bologna and Sweden defender Emil Krafth maintains Italy “are still the favourites” to reach the World Cup even after a 1-0 first leg defeat. The play-off is now tilted in…

Andrea Pirlo urged Giampiero Ventura to adopt a 4-3-3 formation for Italy’s World Cup play-off against Sweden after a 1-0 defeat. The second leg is on Monday at San Siro…

Gigi Buffon contradicted many of Giampiero Ventura’s comments after Italy lost in Sweden. “We must avoid feeling unlucky.” There was precious little the goalkeeper could do when substitute Jakob Johansson’s…