Italy

Sweden’s top scorer Marcus Berg believes “we can make it to the World Cup” and praised Coach Janne Andersson ahead of the play-off. The first leg of the World Cup…

Sweden goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson is excited to meet his “idol” Gigi Buffon in tonight’s World Cup play-off. “We even share the same birthday.” The first leg of the showdown kicks…

Gigi Buffon revealed childhood memories of Italy missing a tournament and laughed off his retirement. “The Nazionale will continue without me!” The Azzurri take on Sweden in Solna for tonight’s…

Zdenek Zeman isn’t surprised by Ciro Immobile’s form this season - “with me he scored 28 goals”. The Lazio striker is top of the Serie A scoring charts, and is…

Lorenzo Insigne’s agent admits 3-5-2 “is not very suited to him” but “I think he could adapt to being the second striker” for Italy. The in-form Napoli man is expected…

Filippo Inzaghi believes Italy’s “pace on the counterattack” and Ciro Immobile are the keys to overcoming Sweden in the World Cup playoffs. Inzaghi missed the infamous ‘biscotto’ at Euro 2004…

Italy Under-21s boss Luigi Di Biagio has hailed the ‘incredible’ impact of Pescara boss Zdenek Zeman on the Azzurri’s young players. Zeman played a key role in the development of…

Pescara boss Zdenek Zeman has urged Italy not to overlook Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne for their World Cup playoff against Sweden. Insigne is expected to miss out when Italy take…

Italy are expected to start Andrea Belotti with Ciro Immobile, while Sweden can rely on Albin Ekdal in the World Cup play-off. The first leg kicks off at the Friends…

Simone Zaza, Stephan El Shaarawy, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Leonardo Spinazzola are officially out of Italy’s World Cup play-off in Sweden. The first leg kicks off on Friday in Stockholm at…

While Gigi Buffon wants VAR in the World Cup play-offs, Juventus teammate Sami Khedira calls it “the death of football.” The debate over the Video Assistant Referee technology continues to…

Giampiero Ventura defended his Italy record ahead of their World Cup play-off with Sweden. “I am satisfied with what we did since my arrival.” The first leg of the World…

Giampiero Ventura won’t rule Simone Zaza out of the starting XI against Sweden tomorrow, but Andrea Belotti “is ready to contribute.” The first leg of the World Cup play-off is…

Gigi Buffon does “not even want to think about the alternative” of Italy reaching the 2018 World Cup and respects Sweden in the play-off. The first leg of the play-off…

Arrigo Sacchi dislikes the Italy squad set to face Sweden for a place in the World Cup. “Nobody in Serie A uses three at the back.” The first leg of…

Join us for the live coverage of Italy’s pre-World Cup play-off Press conference in Sweden with Giampiero Ventura and captain Gigi Buffon. If you are on a mobile device or…

Sweden and Serie A legend Kurt Hamrin insists Zlatan Ibrahimovic was “a weight on their shoulders” and can’t believe Lorenzo Insigne is benched. Italy and Sweden go head-to-head for a…

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir will officiate the first leg of Italy’s World Cup play-off with Sweden in Stockholm tomorrow. It kicks off on Friday at 19.45 GMT at the Friends…

Sweden Captain Andreas Granqvist believes “the pressure is all on Italy” ahead of tomorrow’s game. The two sides clash in a World Cup play-off on Friday and Monday, as both…

Sweden Coach Janne Andersson confirms “I’ve already decided” who will play against Italy tomorrow. The Swedes welcome the Azzurri to Solna for the first leg of the World Cup play-off,…