Italy set for Trapattoni test

Seven Juve players started last month's 2-0 home win over Bulgaria, the world champion's best performance in months which left them one point shy of qualifying as Group Eight winners, and the same number could feature in these last two matches.

"It is the most important week of the last two years," Italy coach Marcello Lippi told a news conference, referring to Saturday's test against second-placed Ireland and the visit of already eliminated Cyprus four days later.

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.