Football news

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is looking forward to the clash with Brazil at the Confederations Cup next year.

The draw was made on Saturday and the outcome meant Italy will now play Brazil twice in four months.

Italy are in Group A with Brazil, US and Egypt. Next year, Lippi will also lead Italy to a friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium.

"What has never happened in a lifetime suddenly happens twice," Lippi said.

"I had never faced Brazil in my career but now I will take them on twice between February and June 2009. I am happy that we're in a tough group."

World champions Italy make their debut in the Confederations Cup in Pretoria against the US on June 15.

Defoe may need surgery

Jermain Defoe is of the opinion that he may require an operation to solve his calf problem that could keep him out of the game for four weeks.

The Portsmouth striker limped out of England's 2-1 win in Germany on Wednesday at half-time and was unavailable for Pompey in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull.

Defoe is set to see a specialist this week. He said: "I've been suffering for the past three games with the calf injury and it's got to the stage that when I play, I can't feel my foot because of the numbness.

"I have had treatment including acupuncture but it's showing no signs of clearing up.

"It's a minor operation but means I will be absent for at least four weeks."

Full-back makes surprise return

Australian full-back Craig Moore made a surprise return to action 12 days after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer.

Moore, formerly with Glasgow Rangers and Newcastle United, took the field in Queensland Roar's 4-1 rout of the Perth Glory in the Australian A-League.

Moore, 32, was diagnosed with testicular cancer two weeks ago and underwent immediate surgery.

Ferguson eyeing Rossi again

Alex Ferguson told reporters that he would be interested in re-signing Giuseppe Rossi, the former Manchester United striker now playing in the Primera Liga with Villarreal.

United sold Italy international Rossi in 2007 for £6.6 million but they included a buy-back clause in the player's contract. Ferguson will take a closer look at Rossi when United play Villarreal in the Champions League tomorrow.

Ferguson said: "He's a good player, in fact, an excellent player. It was difficult to let him go to Villarreal.

"When they offered the money they did for him and we got the buy-back clause, it became attractive to us... we'd consider buying him back."

Stuttgart sack coach Veh

VfB Stuttgart sacked title-winning coach Armin Veh after a 4-1 defeat by Wolfsburg left them in 11th place in the Bundesliga.

Markus Babbel, the former Stuttgart and Germany defender, took charge of training yesterday and will move into the role of team manager, Stuttgart said. Former reserve team boss Rainer Widmayer will be the new coach, working alongside Babbel.

Veh took over from Giovanni Trapattoni in early 2006 and guided Stuttgart to a surprise league championship success in 2007.

A poor start to last season cost them any chance of a successful defence and this term has been a similar story. Saturday's defeat by Wolfsburg was their fifth successive Bundesliga game without a win.

Inter played better says Mourinho

Inter coach Jose Mourinho said he understood the importance of beating rivals Juventus after the Serie A leaders won 1-0 at the San Siro on Saturday.

The champions retained their lead at the top after Sulley Muntari turned in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's effort.

"We played better than the opposition. The team did fantastic from the first minute to the last, those on the pitch and those on the bench," the jubilant Portuguese coach told reporters.

"I understood during the week how important it is for Inter to beat Juventus. To beat a team like Juventus you have to play very well.

"We scored a goal that wasn't beautiful but it is three points to us... Juve played a negative game."

Chelsea doors open to Robinho

Reports in Brazilian newspapers last weekend revealed that Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is still interested in signing Robinho, the former Real Madrid striker now playing for Manchester City in the Premier League.

Robinho was expected to sign for Chelsea from Real during the summer after he declared himself unhappy in Spain. But after City's Abu Dhabi takeover on the last day of the transfer window Robinho moved to Eastlands for a record £32.5 million.

Scolari said: "I am sure that Robinho would be the best player in the world if he came to play at Chelsea. The Chelsea doors are always open to him."