Azzurri stars vow revenge

The Milan stopper was part of Giovanni Trapattoni's squad that fared so disappointingly in the Orient when they were knocked out by co-hosts South Korea in the second round.

The Azzurri stalwart says this current crop of players must look for revenge and get back to the pedestal that took them to the final of Euro 2000.

"This group has massive potential," opined the former Lazio ace. "We are aware we can really do things because we don't envy any other national sides.

"At Euro 2000 in Holland/Belgium, we showed we were the strongest side, but then we failed in the World Cup.

"We under achieved, but now it's time for revenge."

Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero said the experience at the World Cup had given the Italian side a new mentality which now sees them top of Group Nine in qualifying for Euro 2004.

"The harmony in the team is down to our recent results," said Del Piero.

"Let's say that our group overcame the troubles and misunderstandings there were at the World Cup.

"There have been a few different exchanges of what went wrong - some by the players - some by Trapattoni."