World Cup History
Best Result:
Winners, 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Defending world champions Italy are the second most successful team in World Cup history after Brazil, having won four tournaments. Italy claimed consecutive World Cups in 1934 and 1938 but struggled in the post-war years after the 1949 Superga air disaster, as 10 members of the national team were among the 31 killed when the plane carrying Torino's dominant side crashed outside Turin. Italy's renaissance started in 1970 when they lost the final to Brazil before Paolo Rossi inspired his side to the 1982 triumph over West Germany. Italy famously missed out on penalties to Brazil in the 1994 final but won against-the-odds in Germany during 2006, despite the match-fixing scandal hanging over many team members' heads.
Road to World Cup
Qualified as first in UEFA Group Eight
Marcelo Lippi became just the third Italian coach to lead his side to consecutive World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo and Enzo Bearzot when he took charge once again following a disastrous Euro 2008 performance under Roberto Donadoni. Having masterminded the 2006 triumph in Germany, Lippi stepped down and allowed Donadoni to take over for the European tournament. But after the world champions were sent packing by Spain in the quarter-finals, having won just a single game, Lippi re-claimed the position for South Africa 2010 qualification.
An initial 2-1 win over Cyprus in UEFA's Group Eight was followed by three more wins before Italy took on the Republic of Ireland, under former Italian coach Giovanni Trapatoni, in a 1-1 result secured by Robbie Keane's late equaliser. Ireland were shaping as the Azzurri's main rival in this group but wins over Georgia and Bulgaria meant they only needed a draw against the Republic at Croke Park to secure automatic qualification. Ireland's Sean St Ledger looked like he had given his side the win but Alberto Gilardino equalised from virtually the last kick to secure Italy's place in South Africa. A 3-2 come-from-behind win over Cyprus followed, ensuring Italy remained undefeated in qualifying, but their form has hardly been impressive and the Italian press continues to badger Lippi over his refusal to select in-form Sampdoria captain Antonio Cassano.
Star Men
Gianluigi Buffon - The Juventus goalkeeper was probably Italy's best player at Euro 2008. Despite an injury-plagued 2008-09 season, he's come back better than ever, pulling off several remarkable saves against Bulgaria and Georgia while dominating between the posts for Juve.
Fabio Grosso - The left-back was a surprise packet in 2006, his efforts to earn a penalty against Australia seeing a 10-man Italy advance from the second round. He also opened the scoring against Germany in the semi-final and delivered the Cup-winning penalty against France. Has endured a mixed time since then, having been shipped from Inter Milan to Lyon and now to Juventus, but was among Italy's best in Euro 2008 and has a lethal cross, although his defensive frailties can be exposed.
Stranger than Fiction
Italy based themselves in Duisburg during the 2006 campaign and to make it feel more like home, customized couches were shipped over, including one embroidered with 1982 hero Paolo Rossi's face. To many journalists' surprise, they often caught Rossi himself napping on his couch.
