Italian international stars still in a daze

– Italy’s stunned stars return to the mundane setting of Serie A this weekend days after their star status in world football imploded with a shocking World Cup exit against Sweden.

Goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon (right) was back training with Juventus after his emotional retirement from international duty after two decades, preparing for tomorrow’s game at Sampdoria, along with Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini.

Daniele de Rossi, another former world champion, was back at Roma for today’s Derby della Capitale against bitter city rivals Lazio.

Juventus captain Buffon and his Italian team-mates can now fully focus on a chasing a seventh straight title and their Champions League campaign which continues against Barcelona midweek.

Napoli are top of Serie A with 32 points from 12 games, a point ahead of Juventus with Inter Milan third on 30.

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus head to Genoa to play Sampdoria, sixth with a game in hand, boosted by the return of German world champion Benedikt Hoewedes from injury.

Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after being held before the international break, as they host under-pressure AC Milan.

Milan are seventh after a 2-0 win over Sassuolo last time out but have struggled against bigname rivals.

Meanwhile, Rome’s bitter rivals clash for the first time since the storm triggered by Lazio fans posting anti-Semitic photos of Anne Frank in a Roma shirt. – AFP