World Of Sports

Filippo Inzaghi's dramatic return to goalscoring form means Alessandro Del Piero is no longer the only old hand gunning for a place in Italy's UEFA EURO 2008™ squad.

Remarkable run
Injuries have restricted Inzaghi to just 12 league starts for AC Milan this term, but the evergreen 34-year-old may have timed his latest purple patch to perfection as far as Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is concerned. Inzaghi's crucial goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over FC Internazionale Milano extended his remarkable run to nine goals in his last five matches – sending a timely message to the Azzurri coach. "Donadoni already knows me well," Inzaghi said. "It's up to him to decide if I would be useful to the squad or not."

'Excellent form'
Inzaghi's 99th goal for the Rossoneri helped the club overtake ACF Fiorentina in Serie A, moving into fourth place and the final UEFA Champions League position, as well demonstrating his undiminished ability to score against top-level opponents. The former Juventus man found the net three times in the latest qualifying campaign and is desperate to show off his nose for goal in Austria and Switzerland. "I'm not saying I should be selected just because I've scored a few goals recently, but I was already part of the qualifying campaign," Inzaghi said. "I've had some physical problems this season but my current form is excellent. I'd really love to get the chance to score more goals for my country."

Experience
Luca Toni nevertheless remains the favourite to lead the Italy attack in Donadoni's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Genoa CFC's Marco Borriello – the joint-leading scorer in Serie A with 19 goals – regarded by many as ideal back-up for the FC Bayern München striker. But like Del Piero, whose 18 league goals and terrific form with Juventus has significantly boosted his chances, Inzaghi knows his wealth of experience may work in his favour. And on current form, Donadoni might find it difficult to overlook one of the game's great poachers.