No one would expect the defending champs to fall so early, especially not to Slovakia. They say you are the champions until someone else wins, but in the case, that saying does not apply. Italian soccer itself has been on a steady decline; however, the winning of the 2006 World Cup put a façade over the problem. “The lack of new faces and fresh blood will have the doomsayers out in full force. The fact, too, that Inter Milan won the 2010 Champions League without an Italian in the starting XI will further the potential crisis.”

pic and info: FH