England, like the Republic of Ireland, could have set up an Italian reunion for former coach Fabio Capello at Euro 2012 had John Terry's trial not initiated the events which led to his departure in February.
Capello already has history with England-Italy games. In 1973, he scored against the Three Lions not once, but twice in two separate friendly internationals.
Capello scores in Turin as Martin Peters looks on
The Azzurri hosted England in June in Turin, where Pietro Anastasi, then the most expensive player in world football, and Capello's goals downed Sir Alf Ramsey's side.
When England returned the favour on a damp November evening at Wembley five months later, they had been eliminated from the World Cup by Poland less than a month ago. Norman Hunter, Peter Shilton, Jan Tomaszewski et al.
Ramsey was still in charge but on borrowed time, with his sacking a couple of months away. And so it was in his final match in charge that a future England manager ensured his last game under the twin towers was an unhappy one. Like Kevin Keegan 27 years later, Ramsey trudged down the tunnel as the weather rained on his parade.