Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been banned for four games for elbowing USA striker Brian McBride in the face.

It means De Rossi, who has served one match of the suspension, can only play again at the World Cup if Italy reach the final or third-place play-off.

Fifa's disciplinary committee also fined the Roma player 6,400 Euros.

The incident occurred in the first half of Italy's Group E match against USA and left McBride needing three stitches to a cut under his eye.

Source

Italy's Alessandro Nesta has been ruled out of Monday's second round match with Australia because of a thigh injury.

Nesta has been struggling with the injury for the past couple of months and was substituted early in Italy's 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

His replacement in that game, Marco Materazzi, is likely to take his starting place.

Materazzi scored in the victory against the Czech Republic which confirmed the Italians as group winners.

Francesco Totti insists Italy will not under-estimate Australia as the Azzurri do not wish to leave the World Cup early.

Italy tackle The Socceroos in Kaiserslautern on Monday looking to banish the memories of four years ago when they lost to South Korea in the second round.

Totti, who started all three group games after recovering from injury, is eager to continue his World Cup adventure in Germany.

And while he accepts Australia have limited experience on the world stage, he admits it would be foolish to write off Guus Hiddink's side.

"Now you can't fail in a match," said Totti. "If you lose, you come back home.

"Here in Germany we have settled down, so we want to stay.

"With the last 16, the World Cup enters into its decisive phase.

"One thing is for sure, teams who arrive here all deserve respect, so you don't have to make the mistake of undervaluing the opponents, even if, in our case, they haven't a big footballing tradition.

"Anyway, we won't make this mistake. Italy won't undervalue Australia."

today italy line up (copy from fifaworldcup official site)

1. BUFFON Gianluigi 
3. GROSSO Fabio 
5. CANNAVARO Fabio ©
7. DEL PIERO Alessandro 
8. GATTUSO Gennaro 
9. TONI Luca 
11. GILARDINO Alberto 
19. ZAMBROTTA Gianluca 
20. PERROTTA Simone 
21. PIRLO Andrea 
23. MATERAZZI Marco

totti didn't get selected?is he injured?

Alessandro Nesta will miss Italy's quarter final against Ukraine.

The experienced defender picked up a groin injury in the Azzurri's final group game against Czech Republic and had to watch on as his side edged past Australia in the second round.

He had hoped for a swift return but is recovering slower than expected and will not be risked.

Nesta will undergo a further scan before Friday's last eight clash but Marcello Lippi has been left scratching his head for alternatives.

"Against Ukraine I won't play, but for the next match I have high hopes," he said. "I'll do everything to play"

With Marco Materazzi also suspended Andrea Barzagli is likely to be drafted in alongside Fabio Cannavaro in the heart of the defence.

Italy have only conceded one goal so far this tournament but Ukraine will be buoyed by the continuing absence of two of their key defenders.

And Nesta fired a warning to his side about the threat of former Milan team-mate Andrei Shevchenko.

"To block him you must be at 100 percent," he commented.

"You must do as few mistakes as possible. He has not got many weak points and you have to watch that he does not get free."

taly coach Marcello Lippi was delighted to see Luca Toni finally find the scoresheet in the World Cup finals.

The Fiorentina striker came to Germany 2006 off of a record-breaking goalscoring campaign in Serie A last term.

The former Palermo man, however, had so far struggled to find the back of the net in the finals, but he ended his drought with a second-half brace in Friday's 3-0 quarter final win over Ukraine in Hamburg.

Toni's goals came after Gianluca Zambrotta gave the Azzurri an early lead, as Italy cruised to an easy victory and a clash with hosts Germany in the semi-finals.

Lippi was pleased with the performance and conceded that his side face a difficult task against the Germans in Dortmund next Tuesday.

"I'm really happy and really proud of what the players did today, I'm especially happy for Toni," Lippi said.

"It was really strange that he did not score before tonight (in these finals). Now we have to look towards the next match.

"Naturally, it will be difficult, but it will be difficult for Germany too."

Man of the Match Zambrottam, meanwhile, dedicated his first-half goal to former Juventus team-mate Gianluca Pessotto.

Pessotto was hospitalised after falling from a building this week an apparent suicide attempt.

"I want to dedicate my goal to Gianluca Pessotto, our big friend, who is living a really difficult moment and we hope he can overcome this," Zambrotta said.

"We are satisfied for the qualification to the semi-final. It has been a difficult match, but we played it in a fantastic way.

"The defending is a merit of the whole team. We have achieved a really important result. "Let's hope we are able to continue in this way."

Fellow goalscorer Toni was pleased with his contribution in helping Italy reach the semi-finals.

"The most important thing was overcoming the round," Toni said. "We played a really great match and I'm happy for my double.

"I lifted off myself a big weight. It's fantastic. It has been important having Marcello Lippi's faith - I must thank him and I owe him a lot.

"I've got many critics in this period, but I've continued working to be ready when the coach asked me to play and I'm really happy.

"Scoring at the World Cup is something special because I don't know if I'll have another similar possibility.

"I wanted to score and I did and it's really a big satisfaction."

The Italian team are angry with a German weekly publication and plan to take their revenge by knocking the host nation out of the World Cup on Tuesday.

The Azzurri are fuming over an article on Der Spiegel newspaper's website, which joked that Italians were "lazy and greasy, among other things".

The article was quickly pulled but not before the damage had been done ahead of the semi-final in Dortmund.

Skipper Fabio Cannavaro said: "As an Italian and captain, I feel offended."

He added: "These stereotypes applied to us come from an old culture that has been overly abused.

"It shocks me that this can happen in a civilised country like Germany."

Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso added: "That article offended my father and every other Italian who worked hard for low pay.

"Germany has given Italians work in the past but our countrymen put in the effort and earned their wages."

Italian journalist Gabriele Marcotti believes the article has not only served to spice up the game but has also dealt a damaging blow to Germany's charm offensive.

"I think it was certainly a bad judgement call by Der Speigel," he said.

"It has come at a time when Germany is trying so hard to be nice to everybody.

"One of their mottos for the World Cup is, 'The world is a guest of its German friends'."

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has promised to play his natural game in the World Cup semi-final against Germany on Tuesday.

The Milan star would miss the final in Berlin on July 9 if he is booked in the match against the host nation.

However, Gattuso insists he will go into the game not thinking about the possibility of being booked as he bids to help the Azzurri reach their first World Cup final since USA 94.

"I would be happy for Italy to play in the final without me," he said.

"I won't think about the yellow card because if I do, I won't play as I normally do."

Gattuso knows the importance of a place in the World Cup final after relative failures in their last two major tournaments.

Italy failed to make the quarter finals in both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 but the 28-year-old is confident Marcello Lippi's men have the ability to lift the World Cup on Sunday evening.

"Unlike in Korea and Portugal, we have the coach and are more compact," he added.

"This allows us to achieve results even if we are not at 100%.

"I know our fellow countrymen want something big and we must win especially for ourselves and the people in Italy.

"This national team reflects our coach, he is a leader, a strong personality. What I like about him is the willingness to prepare for matches.

"I hope he stays with us when we are world champions."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi will have to mastermind victory over Germany without defender Alessandro Nesta.

The cultured Milan stopper has been on the sidelines since damaging a groin during Italy's final group game against Czech Republic.

Nesta had hoped to figure in Tuesday's semi-final in Dortmund, but his groin has not responded as quickly as anticipated and he will not play any part against Germany.

"Nesta is not available," said Lippi. "He is improving and we tried to get him back but without forcing things."

Nesta has trained with the squad and he could figure in either the final or third/fourth place play-off.

Marco Materazzi is likely to return to the side and partner Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of the back four, having been suspended for the quarter final win over Ukraine. Andre Barzagli is likely to make way.

Mauro Camoranesi has recovered from a knee problem and is available for selection.

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann springs a surprise with two changes to the team that beat Argentina on penalties.

One midfield change was expected with Torsten Frings banned, but Bastian Schweinsteiger is dropped and Tim Borowski and Sebastian Kehl come in.

Italy welcome back Marco Materazzi to the heart of their defence with Alessandro Nesta still out injured.

Materazzi, who was suspended for the win over Ukraine after picking up a red card, replaces Andrea Barzagli.

Marcello Lippi hailed the realisation of a dream after Italy pounced late to beat Germany 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final.

The Azzurri set up a final showdown in Berlin on Sunday against France or Portugal after a dramatic climax in Dortmund.

Fabio Grosso broke the deadlock with 90 seconds of extra time remaining, while Alessandro Del Piero killed off the hosts with the last kick of the game.

Italy coach Lippi was delighted with the end product and was full of praise for his troops in reaching the final.

"This is the realisation of a dream that has lasted a long time," said Lippi.

"If there was a team that was going to win this game, it was going to be us.

"We dominated the territory and we were tired at the end and risked a bit, but not too much.

"This morning I had a chat with the boys and I said a few things."

Del Piero, who came on as a substitute, was struggling to describe the emotions after Italy beat Germany on home soil.

The Juventus legend said: "It was fantastic to be part of a match like that.

"To win in their own backyard - there aren't any words that describe what I'm feeling right now.

"I've had some criticism recently, but today I demonstrated that my desire is as great as anyone else's."

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup final on Sunday.

The Milan stopper, 30, came off after just 17 minutes of the 2-0 Group E victory over Czech Republic on June 22, and has not featured for his country since.

Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi has stepped into the breach in his absence, and has performed admirably alongside Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of Italy's defence.

Coach Marcello Lippi's side have only conceded one goal all tournament, and that was an own goal in their clash with the USA in game two.

But Lippi would rather have the selection headache that a fully-fit Nesta would bring than be without the cultured centre back, widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

The Azzurri medical staff have therefore been working hard to help Nesta recover from his groin injury, but will not risk the player unnecessarily.

Italy have beaten Australia, Ukraine and Germany without him so far, but would dearly love him to return for the final, to face France or Portugal.

Andrea Pirlo claims Italy were deserved winners over Germany after their booking of a World Cup final place left the Azzurri in dreamland.

Tuesday's match in Dortmund appeared destined for penalties until Italy struck twice in the dying embers of extra time - first through Fabio Grosso and then via Alessandro Del Piero.

And Pirlo believes it is no less than the team deserved, particularly given Marcello Lippi's side had already rattled the woodwork twice in extra time.

"It was a fantastic match, full of emotions and a dream I have had since childhood has come true. I am to play in a World Cup final," said Pirlo.

"We deserved to win. We created quite a few chances.

"Germany were lucky twice when we hit the post and the crossbar."

Italy's attention now turns to Wednesday's semi-final between France and Portugal, the winners of which will face the Azzurri in Berlin on Sunday.

Italy playmaker Francesco Totti has revealed he is set to quit international football after the World Cup.

The Roma captain saw the Azzurri reach the World Cup final on July 9 with an extra-time win over hosts Germany on Tuesday evening.

Totti hopes to bow out of the international scene in the best possible way at the weekend by helping Italy lift the World Cup in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

"I'm 90 percent sure I will leave the national team," Totti told Sky Italia.

"I hope to end the adventure in a good way."

The 29-year-old is aiming to complete an amazing summer on Sunday after it had looked unlikely he would play any part in Germany.

Totti suffered a broken ankle in February but was given the best possible chance to recover by Marcello Lippi, something he is hugely thankful for.

"We are in history, maybe. We are writing it, it's missing the last page," he added.

"I've thanked Marcello Lippi and I'll thank him always because from the beginning, he believed in my recovery."

Tuesday's game against Germany had looked like going to penalties until Fabio Grosso fired a superb curling effort past Jens Lehmann with seconds remaining in extra time.

Totti admits he was already thinking about his penalty but was elated when he saw the ball hit the back of the net.

"Penalties? I was already thinking about the possibility and how to shoot it," he confessed.

"Then I saw Grosso's shot go in and I couldn't believe it."

Italy's Marco Materazzi believes the best way to stop Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final is to unleash Gennaro Gattuso on the France hero.

The Azzurri players are familiar with Zidane from his days at Juventus and they have seen him lead Les Bleus to some of their greatest triumphs.

Among Zidane's many achievements was beating Italy in the final of Euro 2000.

But defender Materazzi claims his side now have a gameplan to stop the great man in his final match as a professional.

"We have players that can mark Zidane, like Gattuso," Materazzi said.

"There's no need to charge him up, otherwise he is capable of splitting the world in two."

Gattuso may lack flair but he is arguably the most tenacious and combative player in Marcello Lippi's side.

The AC Milan midfielder will not be the only one to have his hands full, with Materazzi himself designated to mark Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, with Alessandro Nesta ruled out for the final game.

Nesta has struggled with a muscular injury throughout the tournament.

"For Alessandro it's a difficult time," admitted Materazzi.

"This is his third World Cup and each time he's had a physical problem.

"For me, he is an idol and a point of reference."

Inter Milan defender Materazzi, who will partner Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of Italy's defence in the Berlin showpiece, is well aware of the task that awaits them in the German capital.

"France is a team that is used to winning," he said.

"We will have to work very hard because our opponents have great players.

"We are confident - we know we are playing the most important game of our lives."

Lippi's men enjoyed a great reception as more than 2,000 fans turned up at their Mediderich training ground to watch them on Thursday evening.

Alessandro Del Piero feels that Italy are the underdogs going into Sunday's World Cup final against France.

The Azzurri striker believes that the right two sides are contesting the final, but played down suggestions that Italy may have the edge.

Apart from possessing the rejuvenated Zinedine Zidane, Del Piero points to the fact that France have less off-the-field pressures to contend with.

"They are favourites because they have Zidane, who is number one, and also because they have less stress than us," he explained.

"It seems to me that Italy and France are the most apt sides for the final.

"There will be a lot of Juve in the final because (Lilian) Thuram, (Patrick) Vieira and David (Trezeguet) are all playing at Juve.

"With Zidane I have also been very close, so there is a lot of respect between the two sides."

Del Piero is determined not to become distracted by Juve's involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal, but admitted that his mind did occasionally wander.

He also insisted that Fabio Capello's switch from the Stadio Delle Alpi to Real Madrid came as no surprise to him.

"It is impossible not to think about Juve's future but at the moment my priority is the final," he said.

"I'll think about other things from Monday.

"Capello at Real? I can only say one thing. I'm not surprised."

Gianluigi Buffon will establish a new mark of excellence if he keeps a clean sheet for the first 63 minutes of Sunday's World Cup final against France but the goalkeeper admits the record will count for nothing if Italy fail to lift the trophy.

The Juventus star has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes, the second best run in the history of the tournament behind compatriot Walter Zenga, who went an incredible 517 minutes without being beaten at Italia 90.

"Of course I am interested in beating that record but only if it means Italy have not conceded a goal in the final," he said.

"On Sunday, I want to make my dream come true, win the game and finally touch the World Cup trophy."

Italy's defence has been as strong as ever at the tournament, with Fabio Cannavaro proving to be a rock for the Azzurri in every game.

There have been moments when Buffon has been called into action, however, and he has been equal to the task.

But Buffon insists there are many redeeming qualities about this Italian side, besides the fact they have only conceded one goal in six games.

The biggest, he says, is the camaraderie.

"The team spirit is the secret for us to have gone so far," he said.

"Credit has to go to head coach Marcello Lippi who has the tactical quality to bring the best out of the players. He makes every player feel important."

Despite the distraction of a football scandal back home which has landed the clubs of 13 of the national team squad in a corruption trial, Lippi has turned his players into a group of believers.

It was never more evident than the semi-final win over hosts Germany, who had been roared on by an entire nation and had knocked out one of the tournament favourites, Argentina.

"On May 22, I would have never imagined to have arrived here," Lippi said.

"Not because I didn't believe in this group but because this is a long tournament and you need strength, quality and luck on your side to remain to the end.

"We have proved so far that we have strength and a united group."

Lippi is not allowing his players to worry about past results for Italy against France.

Les Bleus beat the Italians on penalties at France 98, and then edged them in the final of Euro 2000.

"With respect to 1998 when we were eliminated on penalties, there's less concern," said Buffon.

"That time we played in France and it we faced a team that was at its best. With regards to us, we didn't really have the confidence we have now.

"Things have gone for the better for our team. There's more confidence in our ability. I am certain we will not let down our fans and we will fight till the end, even if I cannot promise we will win."

Some of the France players who came from behind to beat Italy in 2000 will be in action on Sunday night, including Buffon's Juventus team-mate, David Trezeguet.

But he's likely to be on the bench after failing to win a regular starting place.

"I'm relieved Trezeguet will be on the bench," said Buffon.

"However, [Thierry] Henry is one of those strikers that you never want to face, but if you want to win a World Cup you have to no choice."

Buffon is trying to remain on an even keel.

"The day before the game I will be tense, just as I will be the morning of the match," he said.

"But as soon as I warm up, I will find the serenity."

Italy could lose out on hosting Euro 2012 as a result of the match-fixing scandal in Serie A, according to a report.

Despite being the favourites, Italy could miss out to joint bids from Poland/Ukraine or Croatia/Hungary.

A leading UEFA official who is a member of UEFA's Executive Committee and has a vote when the decision is made in December told Reuters: "Although the scandal will obviously have blown over by the time the championship is held in six years time, UEFA cannot now be supporting the Italian FA unless it is completely re-organised by the time we decide.

"We find ourselves in a very difficult position. If the vote was being taken tomorrow, I am not sure who would win it, but it could not be Italy."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is set to name an unchanged starting XI for the World Cup final.

The Azzurri produced an impressive performance to dispatch Germany in the semi-finals and indications are that Lippi is to keep faith with the same eleven against France on Sunday.

Gianluigi Buffon will therefore continue in goal behind the formidable back four of Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi and Fabio Grosso.

Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Simone Perrotta will line up in midfield, with Francesco Totti linking up with Luca Toni in attack.

If the line-up is confirmed it will be the first time in the tournament that Lippi has stuck with the same team from one match to the next.

Alessandro Del Piero will look to fulfil his childhood dream by helping Italy win the World Cup.

The Juventus man has been a key figure for his country for a decade and played his part in helping the Azzurri reach Sunday's final in Berlin by scoring in the semi-final victory over Germany.

He is unlikely to claim a starting berth, but his drive is unlikely to be dimmed by sitting on the bench.

"We will do everything to win," said Del Piero. "Everything.

"I want to lift that cup, I have wanted it since I was a child."

Italy have won many fans at this World Cup and Del Piero is looking for the Azzurri to sign off on a high.

"We will have to manage this match in a good way," he added. "We have played a great World Cup and I hope to close it in a positive way.

"Many people say ours has been the most beautiful football, I hope it will be especially the winning one.

"France's game is based on the ideas of singular players and on fantastic passes of Zidane.

"We have a strong defence but also in the midfield and on attack we have played well too."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro wins his 100th cap against France in the World Cup final on Sunday dreaming of tasting glory with the Azzurri.

The immaculate Juventus central defender has undoubtedly been one of the stars of this year's finals as he has led an Italian rearguard that has conceded just one goal thus far.

Italy's captain has marshalled his troops superbly and depending on the result in Berlin, could be named as the tournament's most valuable player.

Cannavaro admits it has been a long-held dream of his to appear in a World Cup final and with just France standing between him and a winners' medal, he is understandably geared up for one final push.

''For me, who was a ball boy in the 1990 semi-final in Naples when Italy played Argentina, arriving at this final celebrating 100 caps is a crowning glory,'' said Cannavaro.

''There is the will to continue. I feel good and the physical efficiency I have shown at the World Cup has surprised me too.

''We have showed we are able to play good football and others are bothered by the fact we defend ourselves efficiently.

''But Germany did defend too, we ended the match with four forwards on the pitch.

''A strong signal from (Marcello) Lippi. Now it is the turn of (Zinedine) Zidane and the other French players.''

On the morning of Sunday's final Italian president Giorgio Napolitano met with the Azzurri's squad and wished them well against France.

Napolitano was awarded an Italian shirt by Cannavaro and will watch the final in the German capital alongside sports minister Giovanna Melandri.

''We know we have fantastic players,'' said Napolitano. ''But what counts today is winning.''