Italy nervous over Nesta absence

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta may have quit the Italian national side for good according to coach Roberto Donadoni.

Marriage vow
Nesta was not included in Donadoni's squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers in the Faroe Islands on Saturday and Lithuania on 6 June after asking to be left out as he is getting married. However, the coach said his absence may now be permanent. "I hope it was just an off-the-cuff remark or at least I am trying to be optimistic as it seemed his choice was definite," Donadoni said as the Azzurri gathered for training at their base near Florence.

Final absence
The 31-year-old Nesta missed out on playing in Italy's FIFA World Cup final win against France last July through injury and other knocks have meant he has only featured once since - in the 3-1 victory in Georgia in October. The experienced defender feels that he answered the criticism that has come his way in the past 12 months by helping Milan to win the UEFA Champions League.

'Wonderful high'
"I've been criticised a lot in the past year," said Nesta. "Some people were even saying Italy won the World Cup because I was injured. But I have come back and I'm delighted to have won because Milan are like a family to me. When I returned from injury, the team were starting to play well again and that helped me. Now the season has ended on a wonderful high."

Totti retirement
The Milan stalwart may have followed Francesco Totti in walking away from the national team. The AS Roma striker, who was the 26-goal top scorer in Serie A this season, has not played for Italy since the World Cup and has shown no inclination of wanting to return. "Everyone is free to choose what they think is right," said Donadoni. "I do not interpret it as a refusal to play for the world champions, more a decision about their current condition.

Qualification problems
"Whoever joins up must be fit, but also must be committed and motivated," he added. "I have talked with Totti and Nesta, accepting the explanations they have given me. Have I tried to persuade them to play? I have done what was right but there is a limit. I repeat, from my point of view there is no problem." Italy are not having things their own win in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B, where they are fourth - two points behind co-leaders Ukraine, Scotland and France.