Italy coach Marcello Lippi insists AC Milan's sale of Kaka to Real Madrid is good for Italian football.

"As far as I am concerned, the more foreigners leave Serie A, the better! Let's say that as the manager of the Azzurri it helps me if more of the first team choices are homegrown," smiled Lippi.

The veteran coach also had praise for Villarreal's Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi.

He said: "Rossi is a little champion. He already has a great deal of international experience having played in Italy, Spain and England, despite his tender age.

"Whether in the centre or out wide, it makes no difference, as Rossi is a modern striker. After all, I have seen Leo Messi playing as a centre-forward, Wayne Rooney as a striker and Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing. A modern player must know how to do it all."