On 2 April 2013, Paolo Di Canio entered the pressroom at the Stadium of Light to begin his first press conference as Manager of Sunderland AFC. The line of...
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On the march with Tally’s Army: Stand up for the Boys in Green
On New Year’s day, when an ex-student of mine, a proud Veronese with a curious west coast drawl, asked if I would be interested in going to France for...
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Familiar Foes: Italy and Ireland renew acquaintances
It is a small country on the fringes of Europe, a country whose people have spread knowledge, ‘craic’ and a deal of mischief to the four corners of this...
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Golden Heartbreak: Italy at Euro 2000
Despite a laudable haul of four world cups, Italy have only won the European Championships once – back in 1968, when they played at home in a tournament comprised...
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Italy and Euro 2004: A conspiracy or Scandinavian pragmatism?
On a June evening in Porto in 2004, a Scandinavian derby took place in a decisive game of the Euro 2004 group stage. Sweden trailed 2-1 going into the...
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The Battle of Santiago: Chile vs. Italy 1962
In questionable taste, metaphors of war are frequently wheeled out to describe football matches. Spells of territorial dominance are termed as ‘sieges’ complete with ‘aerial bombardments’; midfield ‘generals’ command...
Read MoreClassic Azzurri Match: Brazil 2-3 Italy (1982)
A total of 44,000 people were crammed into the Sarria Stadium in Barcelona on the 5th July 1982. They didn’t know yet but they were to witness a true...
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Classic Azzurri Match: When Balo Finally Killed Off the Fighting Irish
After Italy started their Euro 2012 campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw with World Champions Spain in Gdansk, Cesare Prandelli took his Italian side to Poznan to face Croatia....
Read MoreClassic Calcio Kits: Italy Euro 2000
Made by: Kappa Worn by: Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Cannavaro, Antonio Conte, Marco Delvecchio Year: 2000 As Italy entered the new millennium, they would do so with...
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Arturo Lupoli: The forgotten prodigy
In the early years of the new millennium, two prodigious young attacking talents were blazing a trail through the Parma and Italian youth system. One would go on to...
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