Gianluca Zambrotta: Italy deserved to be eliminated

"There's a lot of sadness after this elimination,” the Milan man, who played in Italy’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Slovakia today, told the club's official website.

“But if you obtain just two points in three games, it's fair that you go out,” he added, alluding to his side’s disappointing draws with Paraguay and New Zealand.

The 33-year-old has played his final World Cup match for the Azzurri and admitted it was time for a new dawn.

“Now we must forget this bad episode and re-start with a brand new cycle," he added.

Coach Marcello Lippi accepted full responsibility for his side’s poor performances and will now be replaced by Cesare Prandelli who will be tasked with the job of ushering in a new era in Italian football.