With our next fixture coming up February 29th in Genoa against the United States, I realized what a shame it is that Giuseppe Rossi is injured right now. Certainly, he likes to score against his native country, he scored a brace when we met in 2009 in the Confederations Cup. But more important than delightfully watching him punish the American team in a friendly, I wonder whether or not he'll be able to make it back to full fitness in time for the Euros this summer?

Mario Balotelli has been in scintillating form for leaders Manchester City in this season's Premier League, with 5 goals already to his name after just 7 appearances, and a goal each in the Champions League and the Carling Cup as well.

The 21 year old ‘s brace against Manchester United, which capped of a brilliant all-around performance from him, is a sign that he is capable of competing and dominating at the very highest level.

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- 44 Years Ago Today: QPR's Brilliant League CUp Triumph against Gordon Banks' Leicester City
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general....Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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- One Year ago: Briatore Speaks about "Dreaming" about Lippi as QPR Manager.

Siamo finalmente in una competizione di spicco, dopo il bel goal di Pazzini (indovinato il cambio con un Cassano). L'Italia vola ad Euro 2012, grazie al successo con la Slovenia, arrivato all'84′ con la firma del bomber nerazzurro. Sembrava durissima ritornarci dopo la disastrosa spedizione sudafricana, targata Lippi.

Gazzetta dello Sport Euro Pazzo Pazzini goal: Italy qualify for Euro 2012. And what a Balotelli! Spain are OK Capello almost Trap draw Cavani: "Mazzarri, a Scudetto man" Juve, a show to baptise the new stadium Tuttosport Cairo: "Ogbonna, the new contract is ready" "It's a great stadium. Now a great Juve is needed" Lippi: "I remember the emotions at the Nou Camp, and I.

Sorry for the lag in postings. Been busy and away. Logging in remotely now. I had planned a longer post on how much I liked Bradley, why I thought it was time for a change anyway, and why I thought it wouldn't happen regardless. Guess I was wrong. US Soccer sacked Bradley yesterday and apparently will be announcing his replacement today.

The Bob Bradley era with the U.S. national team is over, and while we should find out who is replacing him soon, there's still time to consider the possibilities.

Juergen Klinsmann is the heavy favorite to take the job, but Italian manager Marcelo Lippi has also been mentioned. There are any number of candidates with their names being bounced around, but

poll by twiigs.

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- QPR Reserves Beat Truro City
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- Five Years Ago: Dunga Quits as QPR Director to Take Over Brazil. Caliendo-Paladini issue Statement
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

Just shy of a year ago, Prandelli was handed the reins of the Azzurri following their most disappointing showing ever at a World Cup. Granted, the only place to go from there was up, but at least he hasn't inspired a Lippi recall like Donadoni did. [read more]

Maddy's Note: Ladies and Gents, BigFourZa is proud to present its latest contributor Suhrith. He describes himself as a lawyer by qualification, interested mostly in sport and marginally in other world affairs while we think he's just a bloody good writer. Ironic that his time with BFZ starts with a piece on the end of an era.

Chiuso il campionato di Serie A, impazza il toto-allenatore. Alcuni tecnici saranno confermati, altri prepareranno le valigie. Molte panchine cambieranno, a partire da quella della Juventus, che ha gi salutato Delneri e si prepara ad abbracciare una vecchia bandiera come Antonio Conte, protagonista della promozione del Siena.

A Hearts fan has been charged with assault aggravated by religious prejudice after a touchline attack on Celtic coach Neil Lennon during the Hoops' 3-0 win at Hearts.

Trailing 2-0 at the time, the angry Hearts fan evaded crowd police and raced his way towards the away dugout where he launched himself at the Celtic boss.

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- Four Year Flashback: Report on the 2008 QPR AGM
- Eight Years Ago: QPR Finances.

Marcello Lippi, despite a disastrous second spell in charge of the Italian National team, will always be held in high esteem by Italian worldwide. After all, this is the man that nearly immediately redeemed calcio in the face of a match-fixing scandal in the best way possible: by winning the World Cup.

Directly from the Desk of the President of Italy WorldCupBlog.

Good afternoon all. We've just finished a wonderful two weeks of Azzurri action. Albeit, we did have to watch Gilardino and Mauri struggle to meet our fanatic expectations; Prandelli for the most part did a great job. I'd say, he banished the ghosts of Lippi#2 and Donadoni for the time being and all seems to be back on track in Azzurri land.

Thiago Motta and Cassano celebrating Italy's goal
As this international friendly week has rolled around, I'm doing my best to follow nations as they struggle to qualify for the European Chuampionships of 2012. But struggle isnt really the proper term for some nations, as Italy and Spain, are one step closer to the Euruopean tournament.

Thiago Motta and Cassano celebrating Italy's goal
As this international friendly week has rolled around, I'm doing my best to follow nations as they struggle to qualify for the European Chuampionships of 2012. But struggle isnt really the proper term for some nations, as Italy and Spain, are one step closer to the Euruopean tournament.

Milos Krasic and Edinson Cavani were surely two nominees for players of the season by December. And somehow, by March, a mere three months later, both seem vague shadows of the empirical figures they once were. Fatigue and form may be an issue for the two attacking players, but unless Napoli and Juventus figure out how to restore verve to these men sorely lacking it at the present, they risk losing it all this season.

I thought that while international football is on hold for a few more weeks in Europe, I would do a spotlight on Italy's head coach Cesare Prandelli to show what credentials and experience he brings to the team. He certainly has his work cut out for him, with fans expecting a lot more than what Lippi gave them at the last World Cup.

By Ollie Irish

Number one, bitches

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), which sounds like a tremendously fun place to work, has voted Arsene Wenger the No.1 football coach of the last decade. Wenger > Fergie, Mourinho, Allardyce, Megson, Brown et al.

Italy pranced about 2010 like an adolescent; arrogant until humiliation, then accepting that hard work was needed to mature. Under Lippi and before the World Cup, the team seemed to stumble about it's business, never really trying. It had an arrogant air about it, as if it were the best in the world and didn't need to step up it's game.