Italy coach Marcello Lippi has told Azzurri fans not to be alarmed by his team’s unimpressive performances of late.

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.

GIUSEPPE ROSSI is confident Italy will rediscover their goalscoring touch in tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia.

Giuseppe Rossi is confident Italy will rediscover their goalscoring touch in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia.

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.

Georgia boss Hector Cuper was left fuming as Robbie Keane’s double snatched a vital World Cup victory for the Republic of Ireland last night.

Republic of Ireland 0 Georgia 1

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly was handed a first competitive start under Giovanni Trapattoni in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

GEORGIA landed in Dublin earlier this week minus four players through injury and with half their squad coming out of cold storage due to the winter football hiatus in parts of eastern Europe.

Georgia captain Kakha Kaladze may not be fit to face Ireland in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Nemanja Vidic will miss the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League tie with Inter Milan after being suspended for one match following his red card in the Club World Cup final.

JOSE MOURINHO tightened his grip on Serie A and claimed bragging rights in his personal duel with Claudio Ranieri after Inter defeated Juventus 1-0 on Saturday.

GEORGIA and Bulgaria are still winless in World Cup qualifying after playing out a goalless draw which leaves both teams already struggling in Group Eight.

Georgia 0 Bulgaria 0

Italy 2 Georgia 0

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into Giovanni Trapattoni’s starting line-up as the Republic of Ireland launch their World Cup qualifying campaign against Georgia today.

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.

AC MILAN last night confirmed that Andriy Shevchenko has completed his return to the club after passing a medical where he will be joined by Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

Andriy Shevchenko sent a message of thanks to the Chelsea fans after arriving at Milanello to undergo his medical with AC Milan today.

FEARS that Irish players are not covered by insurance in a war situation prompted yesterday’s move by the FAI to request their Group 8 World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi next month be moved to a neutral venue.

DAVID HEALY scored for both sides as Northern Ireland’s first-half blitz proved enough to see off Georgia at Windsor Park last night.

Northern Ireland 4 Georgia 1

Arsenal 0 AC Milan 0

AC Milan 1 Celtic 0

AC Milan goalkeeper Dida is expected to be fit to face Celtic in tomorrow’s Champions League Group D clash at Parkhead.

Captain Paolo Maldini is the main doubt for AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti for tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final second-leg match with Manchester United.

Celtic 0 AC Milan 0

TROUBLED Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko returned to training with the rest of the squad yesterday as one of his closest pals alleged coach Jose Mourinho was the reason for the player‘s unrest at Stamford Bridge.

SPANISH champions Barcelona sent out a warning shot to Champions League opponents Chelsea last night as they opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga after their nearest rivals all faltered.

BARCELONA will meet Arsenal in a Champions League final that will delight football purists around the world after holding AC Milan to a goalless draw last night.

BARCELONA will wipe out one of their bitterest memories in European competition if they can knock AC Milan out of the Champions League when the teams meet in the second leg of their semi-final tonight.

AN “emotional” Neil Warnock cannot wait for Sheffield United’s promotion to be confirmed after seeing his side all but seal their place in the Premiership next season.

REAL MADRID qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League with two games to go last night when they beat Rosenborg Trondheim 2-0 in Group F.

KAKHA KALADZE’S proposed move to Chelsea appears to be off after the Georgian international agreed a new long-term contract with AC Milan.

Kakha Kaladze’s proposed move to Chelsea now appears to be off after the Georgian international agreed a new long-term contract with AC Milan.

CHELSEA were dealt another striking snub yesterday when it was confirmed Samuel Eto’o had signed a new long-term contract with Barcelona.

AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze believes his future will be resolved next week.

AC Milan tonight claimed Hernan Crespo’s permanent move from Chelsea could be sealed in a matter of days and possibly be followed by Kakha Kaladze moving in the opposite direction.

Spain international Asier Del Horno will be a Chelsea player next season, according to the player’s agent.

AC Milan’s Georgian defender Kakha Kaladze is to leave the club with Chelsea his reported destination.

AS they celebrate their first trophy after six years in the wilderness, Barcelona believe their victory in the Spanish title race will mark the beginning of a new era of success for the Catalan club.