Italy

Italy’s Under-21s were thrashed 3-0 by Spain in a friendly, including a strike from Real Madrid’s Borja Mayoral. The senior side take on La Roja in a crucial World Cup…

Italy have received a good luck message from space for tomorrow’s match with Spain. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is aboard the international space station, but will still be tuning in…

Giampiero Ventura believes his Italy can do “important things” against Spain but “it’s one thing saying it, it’s another doing it”. The Azzurri face a crucial World Cup qualifier in…

Gianluigi Buffon believes Italy’s first game with Spain “doesn’t much affect” Saturday as “there’s been a year of rebuilding”. The Azzurri took a 1-1 draw in Turin last year, though…

Alvaro Morata describes Gianluigi Buffon as “an alien” while Giorgio Chellini is more like a gorilla. The striker will face his former Juventus teammates with Spain this weekend, and he…

Andres Iniesta has pinpointed “extraordinary” Italy midfielder Marco Verratti as a threat to Spain on Saturday. Verratti was close to becoming Iniesta’s teammate at Barcelona over the summer, but the…

Spain’s Nacho Fernandez admits “I watch a lot” of Italy’s BBC back three and that Leonardo Bonucci is his favourite out of the trio. Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio…

Juventus have confirmed that Giorgio Chiellini has left Italy’s training camp with a calf problem, ruling him out of World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Israel. Previous reports suggested Chiellini…

Italy are reportedly likely to go 3-4-1-2, with Marco Verratti as a No 10 and no Lorenzo Insigne, against Spain on Saturday. According to Calciomercato.it, Giampiero Ventura has experimented with…

There are unconfirmed reports that Giorgio Chiellini will miss Italy’s World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Israel with a calf injury. According to La Stampa, Chiellini has left Italy’s training…

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has warned that Italy “require us to reach the thresholds of excellence” on Saturday. Spain welcome Italy to the Santiago Bernabeu for their 2018 World Cup…

Lorenzo Insigne insists Italy are going to Spain on Saturday to win as “a draw doesn’t do anything for us.” Both sides are runaway leaders in their qualifying group for…

Pepe Reina is “very happy” to stay at Napoli, and confirms he’ll remain as long as “nothing serious happens” before the deadline. The Spanish goalkeeper was linked with Paris Saint-Germain,…

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a €25m deal for Torino full-back Davide Zappacosta. The Blues have been in the market for a right wing-back for Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation, with Alex…

Daniele De Rossi says the Spain game is “like a final” for Italy, and enjoys Roma being “under the Scudetto radar”. The Azzurri take on La Roja in Madrid on…

Marco Verratti believes Italy have “nothing to lose” against Spain on Saturday and that “nothing is impossible” for Paris Saint-Germain after Neymar’s arrival. Verratti was heavily linked with a move…

Italy are planning to use Marco Verratti as a trequartista behind Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile in the World Cup qualifier against Spain. It kicks off on Saturday at 19.45…

Suso says Milan teammate Leonardo Bonucci told him “there will be some surprises” from Italy on Saturday. The Azzurri meet La Roja this weekend in a match which is being…

Giorgio Chiellini says Federico Bernardeschi must keep working to reach the right level - “playing for Juventus is different to playing for Fiorentina”. The winger joined the Bianconeri this summer,…

Giorgio Chiellini bears no malice toward Leonardo Bonucci for leaving Juventus - “we remain friends and brothers”. The centre-back completed a shock move to Milan earlier this summer, breaking up…