Andrea Barzagli

Serie A: Juventus handed shock defeat by Sampdoria; Inter Milan move up to second place

Juventus fell to third position four points behind leaders Napoli, 2-1 winners over AC Milan on Saturday, with Inter Milan moving second thanks to a Mauro Icardi brace in a 2-0 win over Atalanta.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura refuses to resign despite not qualifying for finals

Ventura was widely criticized for poor tactical decisions before and after Sweden's 1-0 aggregate win over the Azzurri.

Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon's 20-year stellar international career ends in tears

Gianluigi Buffon had solidly represented the Azzurri for the past 20 years, earning a record 175 caps, but this time not even he could lift a second-rate Italy side.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Italy look to avoid first elimination in 60 years in clash against Sweden

Italy need to overturn a 1-0 play-off first-leg defeat against Sweden at Milan's San Siro on Monday.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Gianluigi Buffon says Italy must not panic despite staring at disaster

Captain Buffon – bidding to reach a record sixth World Cup finals in Russia – is one of the last survivors of Italy's golden generation of 2006 World Cup winners.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Italy's Daniele De Rossi relieved about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's absence in play-off

"I'd never want Ibra against me, not even at 40 years and with a broken leg," said De Rossi.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Italy failing to qualify would be catastrophic, says coach Giampiero Ventura

"I'm not thinking about the play-offs, we need to think about the next two matches and then based on who we meet we'll weigh things up," said Ventura.

Serie A: Super-sub Paulo Dybala inspires Juventus to victory over Chievo

Paulo Dybala inspired Juventus to a 3-0 win over Chievo on Saturday to keep the Serie A titleholders unbeaten ahead of next week's Champions League opener at Barcelona.

World Cup qualifiers: Giampiero Ventura says transfer window should close 24 hours before start of season

“It would be better if the players I select were playing all the time, but there’s nothing we can do,” said Italy coach Giampiero Ventura.

Champions League final: Juventus face reality check of 'galactic disappointment' after Real Madrid loss

A seventh loss in nine finals in Europe’s leading club tournament leaves Juventus, who recently claimed their sixth straight Serie A title, looking for ways to turn their domestic dominance into glory on the continent.