Lessons Learned from Italy’s Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Two wins, three goals scored and only one—an own goal—conceded, plus all six points: On paper, Italy’s two Euro 2016 qualifiers went perfectly. In reality, however, two underwhelming wins over Group H’s bottom teams suggest that Antonio Conte and Italy still have much work to do before they face their real rivals in the tournament in two years’ time. There were some positives... 

Why Former Pescara Trio Will Be Italy’s Surprise Weapon at the World Cup

Zdenek Zeman’s a controversial figure in Italian football. Beloved by fans, he’s often the “bete noire” of club owners and federation officials, known as much for his confrontational and unrepentant honesty as he is for his utter commitment to an all-out-attack approach to the game. On and off the field, the Czech has never been one for holding back or pulling punches. That’s... 

5 Things for Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli to Test in Friendly vs. Luxembourg

Cesare Prandelli has his final squad picked for Brazil, but there’s one last friendly against Luxembourg in Perugia before the Azzurri set off for the World Cup and their opening game with England in Manaus.  Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest countries, with a population of just over 500,000, so they’re not going to provide the Italians with a stern and telling test... 

Why Young Stars Like Marco Verratti Will Be Key to Italy’s 2014 World Cup

This summer, Cesare Prandelli‘s Italy will be all about the next generation. Players like Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon will play crucial roles in the Azzurri’s World Cup campaign, but older players will be the exception, and the focus will be on how their younger teammates perform.  After the Juve pair, Daniele De Rossi is the oldest player who’d be considered an almost... 

5 Surprise Omissions from the Italy World Cup Squad

There was always going to be disappointments when Cesare Prandelli announced his provisional 30-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. Italy might not be as highly regarded as Spain or Brazil, but the Azzurri aren‘t short on talent and the coach has called up a wide selection of players over the course of the qualification campaign.  Some of the names left out were surprising, however,... 

5 Things Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli Should Experiment with vs. Spain

Cesare Prandelli is without some key players for Italy’s friendly with Spain in Madrid, and having called up several fresh faces, looks likely to experiment.  Both Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi are out, the former through injury and the latter because he was seen punching Inter’s Mauro Icardi during their recent game with Roma. Italy are also missing the injured forward Giuseppe... 

Breaking Down Italy’s World Cup 2014 Group Stage Opponents

Before a name had even been pulled out of the bowl at FIFA’s glorified Bingo hall, manager Cesare Prandelli called the World Cup draw “ridiculous,” in a Gazzetta dello Sport interview. It’s a sentiment many others—inside the game and out—would echo.  Italy are currently ranked seventh in the world, but thanks to a logic only understood by those... 

Italy vs. Armenia: 6 Things We Learned

A disappointing draw against poor opposition, or a result that secured a top-of-the-table finish. Depending on how you view the glass’ contents, Cesare Prandelli’s Italy should either be downbeat or delighted following their 2-2 draw with Armenia at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.  Qualification was already assured, so it’s hard to be overly critical of the Italians’ performance.... 

Why Italy Needs Francesco Totti

Normally, you’d laugh Cesare Prandelli out of the room for suggesting that it might be useful to have a 37-year-old out of retirement and in the World Cup squad. But Francesco Totti is no normal player.  The Roma captain is currently enjoying some of his career-best football. For a man of his talent, that’s saying a lot.  Italy struggled to draw with Denmark in their recent qualifying... 

Mario Balotelli’s Italy Career so Far in 7 Key Moments

Mario Balotelli hasn’t always had the easiest of times, with fierce media and the public scrutinising everything the young Italian does. Of course, Balo brings a lot of it on himself.  Earlier in his career it looked dangerously likely that the Milan front-man would be famous as Italy’s resident enfant terrible and little else, because trouble seemed to follow him no matter... 

Next Page »

Latest News

• Former England Manager Graham Taylor Dies at Age 72
• Bruce Arena Names USMNT January Camp Invitees
• Karamoko Dembele Makes England U15s Debut After Playing for Scotland in November
• USMNT Watch: Bobby Wood Nets 1st Bundesliga Goal Since September
• Rugby Player Bruno Andres Doglioli Banned 3 Years for Tackling Female Referee