FULHAM’S hopes of a fairytale place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League were left hanging by a thread last night as European heavyweights Juventus outclassed Roy Hodgson’s side at the Stadio Olimpico.

Juventus 3 Fulham 1

Republic of Ireland 2 Italy 2

Liam Lawrence has been handed a World Cup debut as the Republic of Ireland attempt to keep their qualification dream alive against reigning champions Italy tonight.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi gave few clues about his line-up for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

ITALY will need to display character to handle the problems the Republic of Ireland will inevitably cause them in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier at Croke Park, Gianluigi Buffon said last night.

ITALY must brace themselves for intense Celtic passion on and off the field when they meet the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, midfielder Daniele De Rossi has said.

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.

ITALY goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has offered exiled star Antonio Cassano some hope in making it into Marcelo Lippi’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Italy 3 Northern Ireland 0

Italy coach Marcelo Lippi will give young Inter Milan defender Davide Santon his senior international debut against Northern Ireland tomorrow night after admitting to being impressed with him in training.

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

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up in-form Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini for the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland.

DIDIER DROGBA rekindled Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions with a first-half matchwinner against Juventus.

Chelsea 1 Juventus 0

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi will give former Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi his first senior start in tonight’s international friendly against Greece in Athens.

AMONG the celebrating Juventus players following their Champions League win over Real Madrid 10 days ago were a handful of former Premier League players: one time Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg replaced Nicola Legrottaglie at half-time, and he high-fived ex-Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko, who had been immense in midfield, as the pair trooped off the pitch.

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.

Italy 2 Georgia 0

MANCHESTER UNITED may have been held to a scoreless draw against Juventus at Old Trafford last night, but at least they were able to report a clean bill of health.

Man Utd 0 Juventus 0

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri admitted he was unhappy with his players despite their comeback against Parma on Sunday.

FILIPPO INZAGHI is the notable omission from the Italy squad named for Euro 2004 by Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday.

Filippo Inzaghi is the notable omission from the Italy squad named for Euro 2004 by Giovanni Trapattoni today.

VALENCIA clinched their second Spanish title in three seasons after goals from midfielders Vicente and Ruben Baraja earned them a 2-0 victory at Sevilla last night.

Inter Milan clinched a 1-0 win over Parma to move into fourth spot in Serie A - a position which will see them qualify for next season’s Champions League preliminary round if they hold it for one more week.

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

AS ROMA coach Fabio Capello believes the ailing club's future rests on whether they can secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League tonight.