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.

From Spain, all the old worries; from Italy, all the old strengths.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said that he believes last night's defeat to Russia will only make his team stronger ahead of the European Championship.

Russia beat Ireland’s Group C rivals Italy 3-0 last night to cap a dismal week for Italian football.

To a certain extent, Christian Maggio’s career shouldn’t really exist in its current guise.

Branislav Ivanovic was Chelsea’s unlikely hero with the extra-time winner that means there is still one English club in the Champions League.

Chelsea 4 Napoli 1 (AET, Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate)

Italy 0 United States 1

Napoli 3 Chelsea 1

Napoli 2 Manchester City 1

THE ghosts of the past did their best to play tricks on Manchester City as they renewed their acquaintance with the European Cup last night but Roberto Mancini declared himself happy with their Champions League debut and promised better to come.

Man City 1 Napoli 1

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini is excited by his Champions League challenge but expects the group stage to prove tough.

Faroe Islands 0 Italy 1

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi took full responsibility for his side’s World Cup group exit, admitting the reigning champions had played with “terror in their hearts, heads and legs”.

Slovakia 3 Italy 2

Italy have dropped Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi from their 23-man World Cup squad.

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.