Gianluigi Buffon
Italy's Nicola Barella, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Czech Republic in Bologna, Italy, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A year late, Italy and Turkey play opening game at Euro 2020

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 10, 2021 04:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, March 25, 2021 filer, Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, competes for the ball with Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell, bottom, during the World Cup 2022 qualifier group c soccer game between Italy and Northern Ireland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP, File )
EURO 2020: Italy transformed after World Cup failure

By Andrew Dampf May. 31, 2021 08:57 AM EDT

Switzerland's Remo Freuler, right, scores aigainst Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon, left, during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Switzerland and Spain at the St. Jakob-Park stadium in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday Nov. 14, 2020. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Ramos causes missed spot kick drama on record-setting night

By Graham Dunbar Nov. 14, 2020 06:50 PM EST

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte, center, wearing a face mask, enters the pitch prior to the Italian Cup second leg semifinal soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, at the Naples San Paolo Stadium, Italy, Saturday, June 13, 2020. The match is being played without spectators because of the COVID-19 restriction measures. (Cafaro/LaPresse via AP)
Subs, coaches see red as refs hear all in empty stadiums

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 29, 2020 08:02 AM EDT

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during the Italian Cup soccer final match between Napoli and Juventus, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
At 35, Ronaldo may have lost a step during the lockdown

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 18, 2020 07:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2020 file photo, Napoli's head coach Gennaro Gattuso gives instructions to his players during an Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy. With Inter, Juventus and Milan -- plus Napoli -- all in action when Italian soccer restarts with the Italian Cup semifinals this week, the effects of the pandemic will still be fresh in the minds of players, coaches and club executives. Napoli hosts Inter on Saturday, June 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, file)
'We were defenseless': Virus left its mark on Italian soccer

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 10, 2020 07:54 AM EDT