Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players not to underestimate the Italian side at Euro 2012.
Italy was rocked midweek when a number of top players, including Stefano Mauri and Domenico Criscito, were targeted as part of investigations surrounding the Scommessopoli betting scandal in the Serie A.
Things went from bad to worse for the Azzurri on Friday, when they slumped to a humiliating 3-0 reverse at the hands of Russia.
Trapattoni, however, who coached Italy between 2000 and 2004, is certain that when the two sides meet in Group C on June 18 their current problems will have no bearing on the game.
It would be a great mistake if you think Italy is this (finished), because we don t know how they have done in their training camp, Trapatto…
Prediction: Liverpool to score in both halves
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Jürgen Klopp s in-form Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield on Saturday evening as festive Premier League football continues.
The Foxes will be aiming to get back to winning ways following a difficult result against Watford last time out and will hope to stem the wave of the Reds goal-scoring after they plundered another five in mid-week.
Liverpool
Whilst Liverpool s ability to find the net is one of the most profitable in the Premier League, their defence has been too easily breached this season. The Reds have already conceded 23 goals in 20 games so far this term only two less than newly-promoted Brighton Hove Albion. However, the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk should go a lo…
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has revealed that he intends to return to Italy should he ever leave the French champions.
The 23-year-old left hometown club Pescara for Paris in 2012, winning four consecutive Ligue 1 titles since his switch.
However, speaking ahead of his country s World Cup qualifier against Israel, Verratti told the media that a move back to Italy appeals.
He did, though, clarify that he is happy at PSG, despite Giampiero Ventura s claims to the contrary.
I m fine in Paris, I am well set and I intend to stay there as long as possible, Verratti said in a press conference.
If one day I decide to leave the PSG, I do not hide that I would go back to Italy, but for now I think not.
Verratti also discussed Ma…
Christian Pulisic was grateful as the midfielder thanked Borussia Dortmund after his final game for the club at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.
Pulisic signed with Premier League giants Chelsea in January, but will make the move at the end of the season after staying at Dortmund on loan.
The United States international marked his final home appearance for Dortmund with a goal as they sent the Bundesliga title race to the last day with a 3-2 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Pulisic, 20, was glad to deliver in front of the Dortmund fans, having signed with the club four years ago.
Obviously a very emotional day for me, being the last time in this stadium, he told BT Sport.
I ve played so many games here now, it feels like just yesterday I came here as …
Manchester City must be patient with club-record signing Aymeric Laporte, according to Pep Guardiola, who believes the defender is ready for immediate first-team action.
Laporte s €65million Athletic Bilbao release clause was met by the Premier League leaders, the centre-back s arrival narrowly eclipsing the £55m they paid to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg in 2015.
The uncapped Frenchman signed a contract to 2023 on his Etihad Stadium arrival and Guardiola believes 222 appearances at Athletic will stand Laporte in good stead as he tackles the Premier League.
He s played since a young age in LaLiga so he is at a high level, Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday.
He s strong in the air and fast. He s got good quality and we are delighted.
Harry Kane has insisted his conscience is clear as he aims to win trophies with Tottenham despite a desired move to Manchester City collapsing.
Having expressed his desire to leave Spurs at the end of last season, the England captain was strongly linked with a record-breaking transfer to the Premier League champions during the window.
But despite City boss Pep Guardiola publicly stating his interest in the 28-year-old, a move failed to materialise with Spurs refusing to negotiate.
Following an extended break due to his Euro 2020 exertions with England, Kane returned in Tottenham s 1-0 win at Wolves earlier this month.
The striker subsequently released a statement revealing that he would remain at his boyhood club, who he first joined at the age of 11…
Best Odds: 11/10
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Given a late fixture change, Tottenham will now face off against Fulham in a London derby when Spurs host their crosstown rivals from behind closed doors on Wednesday night.
Tottenham
Starting with the hosts, after collecting what turned out to be a routine 5-0 romp against non-league FA Cup dreamers Marine over the weekend, there is no doubt that Jose Mourinho s men will be desperate to keep up that momentum in midweek. While on paper the former Manchester United boss might have seen his side win each of their last three matchups on the bounce, that doesn t quite tell the whole story. Although the Lilywhites also managed to book their spot in the final of this year s EFL Cup after a 2-0 win against Championship outfit Brentford last…
Trevoh Chalobah has been rewarded for his impressive form under Graham Potter with a new deal that will keep him at Chelsea until at least 2028.
The 23-year-old has become an important player since Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel in September, featuring in 12 out of the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager s 14 games at the helm.
Chalobah has made 43 appearances in total for the Blues, is now committed to the Blues until at least June 2028, with a club option to extend to 2029.
The defender, who has been with Chelsea since the age of nine, said: I m over the moon to sign this contract. It s been an honour every time I put the shirt on. I want to give my all and do anything for this club.
As everyone knows I ve been here from a young age and to con…
Manchester United s search for a permanent new manager continues to roll on.
Ralf Rangnick has taken over on an interim basis following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s axing.
Several big names have been linked with the vacant post.
TOP STORY – TEN HAG TOP OF MAN UTD S LIST
Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has moved to the head of the queue to be Manchester United s new manager, claims The Mirror.
Ten Hag guided Ajax through a record-breaking Champions League group campaign where they won all six games.
United have now made appointing him their priority as he ticks all the boxes for the 20-time English champions.
Ralf delivers an honest verdict of United s victory at Norwich |
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Bayer Leverkusen continue to edge towards a remarkable unbeaten season and Xabi Alonso acknowledged every club wants to put that run to an end.
The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions moved a step closer to a treble after beating Roma 2-0 away in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday.
Alonso s side have also reached the DFB-Pokal final against Kaiserslautern as their extraordinary 47-game unbeaten run continues across all competitions.
Leverkusen, who ended Bayern Munich s 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title to secure their first trophy since 1993, travel to sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
We want to stay unbeaten and we know every week it gets tougher. Everyone wants to beat us, Alonso told reporters.
It hasn …