ROME, Jan 28 (SW) – AS Roma defender Christian Panucci has spoken publicly of his differences with Italian national team boss Marcello Lippi.

Lippi has not picked Panucci since taking charge of the national team in mid 2004, with many commentators blaming the poor relationship between the two as the key reason for his exclusion.

Panucci has now gone public with the pair’s relationship and admits his hope that things can be sorted so that he may represent the Azzurri at Germany 2006.

“When we were together at Inter, I admit I didn’t collaborate much with Lippi,” admitted Panuci.

“He made some mistakes too. In the last two months (when the pair were together at Inter), we literally didn’t speak to each other and I was the one who refused to open the channels of communication. It was an error, one of many that were made that year, because our reciprocal pride drove a wedge between us.

“If I should continue playing well, then I hope Lippi will call me for the Italy squad, although I am not used to asking anyone for help. If he brings me along to Germany, then that’ll be because I earned it. If he doesn’t, then that’s fine with me.”