Italy (Richard Aikman, @UEFAcomRichardA)

Italy's players have been given a day off today to relax aching limbs and reflect on a disappointing result on Friday. The 3-0 defeat by Russia will have wounded pride as it is the first time in 26 years that the Azzurri have lost three matches in a row. But as Prandelli said on Friday, it is better to slip up before rather than after the tournament has begun, and the Gazzetta dello Sport was adopting a more positive outlook this morning.

"Prandelli's Italy haven't won or even scored since 11 November, but neither have they lost a single competitive match [in his tenure], and in seven days in Gdansk, they begin EURO 2012 against Spain. They don't come more competitive than that. After the slap in the face from the Russians, it's time to consider the glass half-full."

Prandelli has also said that he will give the defence serious reconsideration and with Giorgio Chiellini due to return, the Italian press are suggesting the Azzurri will introduce the 'blocco Juve' or 'Juve block'. In other words, five at the back, with Chiellini accompanying Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci in an all-Bianconeri three-man central defence. If Prandelli goes with the uncapped Juventus winger Emmanuele Giaccherini as an attacking left wing-back that would mean that, along with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo, there would be a total of seven Juve players in Prandelli's lineup.

« Previous1234567891011121314151617Next »