No-one likes us, we don't care say Italians

DUISBURG, Germany, June 28 (Reuters) Defeating underdogs Australia, especially with a dubious last minute penalty, was never going to make Italy popular but the Azzurri have not taken kindly to criticism of their second round performance.

''Everyone against Italy'' was the headline in today's edition of La Repubblica, which carried a full page review of the international press's criticism of Marcello Lippi's side.

At the last World Cup, Italian media raged about refereeing decisions that went against them but with fortune favouring the Azzurri this time, the Italian media have prickled instead at criticism of their team's tactics.

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta said the negative reaction revealed fear of his side.

''If everyone is attacking us then it means they are afraid of us,'' Nesta told reporters today.

''We are indifferent to all this stuff, the words fly away with the wind. By now it has become a tradition to attack Italian football and it seems to be in fashion,'' he added.

Nesta said he believed that, contrary to the critics, Italy have played more attacking football at this World Cup than previous editions.

Team mate Marco Materazzi, who will miss Friday's quarter-final against Ukraine after being sent off against Australia, said putting on a show however should not be a priority.

''We will leave entertainment to others. You will see it from Italy after July 9,'' he said, referring to the date of the final.

Nesta displayed a similar attitude when asked about the image the Italian team have presented at the World Cup.

After the Serie A match-fixing scandal erupted, Italian Football Federation officials said the team had a double-task at the finals - to win but also to improve the image of Italian football.

Asked how he felt the team were progressing on the second of those tasks, Nesta said: ''We only have one task. If you win then the rest, being popular, will follow.'' When an Argentine reporter asked a question about the scandal, Nesta snapped: ''Is everything fine in your country? I think everyone needs to look after their own house.'' ITALIAN OUTRAGE There was outrage in Italian newspapers today after German news weekly Der Spiegel published a satirical World Cup-related column on its Web site about the Azzurri entitled Oiled up and greasy' which referred to Italians as 'parasitical forms of life'.

The article was later withdrawn and an apology posted on the Web site but that didn't stop the daily La Stampa declaring - Italian parasites - that is how Der Spiegel prepares for the semi-final'.

Asked about the article, Nesta said: ''They criticise us for how we are but then they want to dress and eat like us. There is a bit of envy''.

Italy could face Germany in the semi-final if they beat Ukraine and the Germans get past Argentina in their quarter-final.

REUTERS SHR VV2131