ITALY boss Marcello Lippi is targeting a four-point advantage when his side arrive in Dublin on October 10.

Two own goals from captain Kakha Kaladze gifted Italy victory over a toothless Georgia in Tbilisi tonight to keep the visitors out in front at the top of the World Cup qualifying Group Eight table.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has defended his decision to again snub Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano, selecting eight Juventus players for the Group Eight leaders’ trip to take on Georgia in Tbilisi.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up eight uncapped players for the friendly against Northern Ireland on June 6.

Italy 1 Republic of Ireland 1

Andy Keogh was pitched into battle with world champions Italy as the Republic of Ireland attempted to drag themselves back into the race for automatic qualification.

AS IF the result in Dublin wasn’t enough of a bubble-burster, Italy had to go and canter to the most straightforward of wins on what was supposed to be a potentially tricky, if short, hop across the Adriatic Sea.

ITALY and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said his team would be wrong to underestimate Montenegro and focus on the top-of-the-group showdown against Ireland next week.

Italy 2 Georgia 0