Italy defender Fabio Grosso has been ruled out of Saturday's European Championship qualifier against Ukraine due to a thigh strain.
French football was again marred by violence after Olympique de Marseille's Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais was called off on Sunday when the visitors' bus and some fans were pelted with stones and beer bottles, injuring Lyon coach Fabio Grosso.
The surprise exclusion of Fabio Grosso from Italy's World Cup party has propelled left back Domenico Criscito into the limelight and placated critics demanding more youth in the Azzurri team. The fresh-faced 23-year-old looks just out of school with his shy smile, soft voice and boyish blonde hair.
Italy moved within a point of World Cup qualification after superb goals from Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta sealed an entertaining 2-0 win over Bulgaria in Group Eight on Wednesday.
Goals in the dying minutes of extra-time gave the Italians a 2-0 victory over Germany in the first semi-final.
Italy and Netherlands shared a dull 0-0 friendly draw on Saturday, with home striker Giampaolo Pazzini having a late goal ruled out for handball.
'We're in disbelief because anyone who watched the game could see that it was not a penalty,' said Australian midfielder Tim Cahil, after his side lost to Italy.
Coach Marcello Lippi hailed 10-man Italy's determination to beat Australia 1-0 on and said their winning penalty was rightly given.
Francesco Totti scored in the last minute of stoppage time to help a 10-man Italy beat Australia and enter the quarter-finals.
Inter Milan notched up their 17th successive Serie A victory with a 5-2 win at Catania on Sunday.
Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties after the two teams finished 1-1 after extra-time in a dramatic final.
Olympique Lyon recovered from going 2-1 down and the dismissal of Fabio Grosso to draw 2-2 at home to Caen on Saturday to edge closer to a seventh successive Ligue 1 title.
Brescia left Mario Balotelli on the bench after coach Fabio Grosso said the maverick striker had not put in enough effort in training during the week.
He made it 3-0 with a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner in the 20th minute, scoring his first ever treble in a competitive game, more than 19 years after making his professional debut.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
A round-up of Saturday's action in La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.
