Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 opponents Sweden and Italy began their build-up to this summer’s tournament with disappointing results on a busy night of international friendlies.

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Champions League final against Barcelona with a calf injury.

Monaco 0 Juventus 0: Juventus moved into the last four of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years after playing out a goalless draw with Monaco in the second leg of their quarter-final tie.

England put on a good display of attacking football, but they emerged from their trek into the jungle with a 2-1 defeat in their World Cup opener thanks to Mario Balotelli's winner in the draining heat of Manaus.

England 1 Italy 2

Celtic manager Neil Lennon savoured the prospect of another two classic encounters against Juventus after being paired with the Italian champions and Serie A leaders in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Chelsea 2 Juventus 2

Chelsea 2 Juventus 2

Giovanni Trapattoni has recalled Kevin Doyle tonight as Republic of Ireland attempt to salvage some pride from their European Championship campaign and knock Italy out of the tournament.

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon is hopeful that a win against the Republic of Ireland will be enough for his team to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Buoyed by a strong showing against the world champions there’s a new mood of optimism in the Italian camp, boosted by the post-match words of their president Giorgio Napolitano who compared the spirit of the nation to the spirit of the team.

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi revealed he will play in defence against Spain in tomorrow’s Group C opener.

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has revealed he will play in defence against Spain in Sunday's Euro 2012 Group C opener.

Two of Ireland’s Euro 2012 group rivals have been hit by late injuries, with Croatian striker Ivica Olic out of the tournament with a ruptured thigh muscle.

AC Milan have signed veteran defender Nicola Legrottaglie from Juventus, the Serie A leaders confirmed today.

Wolfsburg 0 Fulham 1 (Fulham win 3-1 on aggregate)

Wolfsburg 3 Portsmouth 2

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has left out veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero from his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Ireland’s group against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

MARCELLO LIPPI failed to weave his magic in his first match since returning to the Italy helm as the Azzurri were forced to recover from two goals down to draw with Austria in a friendly in Nice last night.

NEWCASTLE claimed a fine 1-0 win in Palermo to move to within touching distance of a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Newcastle claimed a fine 1-0 win in Palermo to move to within touching distance of a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Palermo continue to keep pace with Internazionale at the top of Serie A after a late goal from Carvalho Amauri earned them a 3-2 win over Fiorentina.

Italy’s Alessandro Nesta is confident he will return to play for the Azzurri again in this World Cup but will not be ready until the semi-finals.

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is unlikely to recover in time for Friday's World Cup quarter-final clash with Ukraine.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi named his squad for the 2006 World Cup with Filippo Inzaghi of AC Milan and Udinese’s Vincenzo Iaquinta both getting a late call.

A DREADFUL mistake from Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes gifted Valencia all three points and cut Frank Rijkaard’s side’s lead at the top of La Liga to six points at the Mestella last night.