AC Milan veteran Rino Gattuso admits Italy have hit the "bottom of the barrel" after their World Cup disaster against Slovakia.

Gattuso was among the 'Heroes of Berlin' who were given medals by the government in recognition of their 2006 World Cup triumph, earning the titles of 'Cavaliere del Lavoro.'

"When we won the World Cup they gave us medals for our work, now they'll make us a Cavaliere of Shame," slammed Rino.

"It's only right that we should be treated that way after a group stage exit. All of Italian football needs to take a long, hard look at itself.

"This evening we scraped the bottom of the barrel."