MANY

thought Italy had hit an all-time low when they failed to qualify for the World Cup, for the first time in 60 years. But they were wrong. The sight of Mario Balotelli attempting to lead their attack against Poland last Friday, looking more out of condition than the Michelin Man after a seven-hour eat-all-you-can pizza parlour binge, was a far greater indictment on the current state of the Italian national side.