Robbie Keane is convinced the Republic of Ireland can beat Italy and book their own trip to South Africa 2010 via World Cup qualifying Group Eight at the reigning champions' expense.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni believes Robbie Keane’s return to Tottenham could be good news for his country.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi admits the Azzurri need to raise their game after only scraping past Cyprus in their opening World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

GEORGIA coach Hector Cuper remains hopeful that his side will be able to play the rest of their Group Eight World Cup qualifiers at home in Tbilisi. If they do, Ireland’s hopes of reaching South Africa will have greatly improved.

HE wasn’t making a big deal about it but Hector Cuper clearly felt that he should not have been sitting in the bowels of a German second division club’s stadium yesterday morning talking to the press.

Georgia boss Hector Cuper has insisted his adopted country’s World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland could have been played in Tbilisi.

ALBERTO ZACCHERONI has been named as the new coach of Inter Milan following the sacking of Hector Cuper, club vice-president Giacinto Facchetti said yesterday.

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Roy Keane is set to miss tomorrow’s Champions League opener against Panathinaikos at Old Trafford.

EUROPEAN champions AC Milan and title-holders Juventus again start as favourites when the Italian Serie A season gets underway tomorrow.

Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper believes his side’s pre-season plans are back on track following a largely disappointing summer.

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has reiterated his stance on striker Christian Vieri, insisting the Italian international is not for sale.

AC Milan booked their place in the Champions League final by hanging on for a 1-1 draw with city rivals Inter last night but defiant Inter coach Hector Cuper insisted his players had turned in the better performance.

Inter Milan host city rivals AC Milan on Tuesday in a Champions League semi-final second-leg match which provides both sides with the opportunity to atone for a disappointing season by reaching the final of Europe‘s premier club competition.

Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper was content with his side’s display after emerging from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final showdown with AC Milan with a goalless draw.

FABIO CANNAVARO was marked out for great things when he was 17 years old. He had already been working as a ball-boy and playing in the junior teams of Napoli for five years when he was invited to train with the senior squad.

NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson has put striker Craig Bellamy on red alert as he prepares to make Inter Milan pay for his Champions League misery.

REVENGE was the word on Héctor Cúper’s lips as the Internazionale FC coach spelt out the importance of tonight’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Group A leaders FC Barcelona at the San Siro.

Ronaldo may have been missing for Inter Milan in their Champions League qualifying game at Sporting Lisbon, but he was still the focus of attention after the scoreless draw.

Alvaro Recoba returned with a vengeance from a year of torment and goes to the World Cup living up to his status as the world’s best-paid footballer.

Valencia coach Hector Cuper was distraught after watching his side lose their second Champions League final in a row.

Valencia go into their Champions League final against Bayern Munich with rumours rife it will be coach Hector Cuper's final match in charge.

Mark Viduka has today been belittled by Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque which must surely bring an end to the speculation surrounding a summer move to Spain.

Valencia coach Hector Cuper is preparing his side for a ‘dirty war’ against Leeds in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Elland Road.

Real Madrid are Sir Alex Ferguson's favourites to win the Champions League this season.