Italy began their preparation yesterday for the match against Ireland in a mood of national euphoria but no great confidence about the tournament to come.

At 8.47pm on Sunday night, Italian football returned from its winter break; at 10.37pm, the title race was over.

Italy striker Antonio Cassano has apologised after causing controversy by saying he hoped there were no homosexuals in the national team squad at Euro 2012.

No-one should be holding their breath in anticipation of European Championship finals games being played in Ireland in eight years’ time, despite confirmation the FAI joined its counterparts in Scotland and Wales in expressing an interest in co-hosting the tournament in 2020.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will include Man City striker Mario Balotelli in his squad to face Ireland at the European Championships.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will miss Italy’s Euro 2012 campaign after suffering another serious knee injury.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will miss Italy’s Euro 2012 campaign after suffering another serious knee injury.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says Antonio Di Natale will be considered for selection for Euro 2012 despite overlooking the veteran striker in the past.

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has hit out at Mario Balotelli, telling the temperamental Manchester City striker it’s time to back up his words with actions.

Spain playmaker David Silva has warned his team-mates about the threat the Republic of Ireland pose to their Euro 2012 hopes and singled out Robbie Keane as a danger man.

It was a mixed night for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 Group C opponents as Croatia and Italy were beaten at home while Spain eased to victory over Venezuela.

Italy 0 United States 1

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has revealed Roma captain Francesco Totti could return to the national team at Euro 2012.

ITALY manager Cesare Prandelli believes the big threat to his team’s progress at Euro 2012 will come from Croatia rather than Spain or Ireland.

Yes, says Jonathen Wilson

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has not ruled out a return to international football for Antonio Di Natale, despite the striker again being left out of his latest squad.

Man City 2 Villarreal 1

Faroe Islands 0 Italy 1

Patrice Evra has used the memory of his own tortured Manchester United debut to assure David de Gea not to worry about his transition to the Premier League.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits Luka Modric is “confused” about his future but is still determined to hang on to his star midfielder.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell insists they will not break the bank to sign Cesc Fabregas, who he believes is now worth less in the transfer market than 12 months ago.

Republic of Ireland 2 Italy 0

ITALY coach Cesare Prandelli is relishing the prospect of facing his mentor and compatriot Giovanni Trapattoni on the touchline when his team takes on the Republic of Ireland tonight in an international friendly.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is relishing the prospect of facing his mentor and compatriot Giovanni Trapattoni on the touchline when his team takes on the Republic of Ireland tomorrow in an international friendly.

Italy 3 Estonia 0

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has had a lucky escape – after being hit by a bull.

TOTTENHAM’S flickering hopes of Champions League qualification took a blow yesterday with the confirmation that Gareth Bale will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured ankle ligament during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Blackpool.

THE Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 18 will be contested by two Portuguese teams after Braga edged past Benfica on away goals and Porto, despite losing on the night to Villarreal, comfortably advanced to the decider.

BRAGA capped a historic night for Portuguese teams in the Europa League as all three Primeira Liga representatives booked their places in the semi-finals of the competition.

Braga capped a historic night for Portuguese teams in the Europa League as all three Primeira Liga representatives booked their places in the semi-finals of the competition tonight.

AIDEN McGEADY’S dream of playing in the Europa League final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is in tatters after his Spartak Moscow side crashed 5-1 at Porto in last night’s quarter-final first leg tie.

Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division is down to five points after they were held 1-1 by Sevilla in a thrilling contest at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan this evening.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND star Aiden McGeady was the hero for Spartak Moscow last night as his 90th-minute equaliser saw the Russians past Basle 4-3 on aggregate.

I WAS sad to see my old mate Gennaro Gattuso in trouble this week.

Sergio Aguero has ended speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham after signing a contract extension with Atletico Madrid.

THE meeting of Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium was the big Europa League clash last night to see who would qualify from Group J and a 2-2 draw insured the Spanish side took the spoils.

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

LAZIO crashed out of the Europa League last night following their 2-1 defeat at Salzburg and Villarreal’s 2-0 win at Levski Sofia.

Lazio crashed out of the Europa League tonight following their 2-1 defeat at Salzburg and Villarreal’s 2-0 win at Levski Sofia.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Italy 0 Holland 0

DIMITAR BERBATOV still believes Bulgaria are in with a chance of pipping Ireland to second place in World Cup Group 8.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has named a 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers away to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and at home to Cyprus four days later.