"Guess I shouldn't have been running in flip-flops, " says Di Saia.

CNN: No health insurance? Get help here

The most remarkable thing about Di Natale's run isn't his extraordinary strike rate, his other-wordly composure in front of goal, or even the fact that he's found success at one of Italy's less fashionable clubs.

WSJ: Antonio Di Natale: A Striker From the Shadows

"I'm confident it won't be a gamble - judge me by my results, " said Di Matteo, who wants to see a never-say-die spirit from his players.

BBC: I am not a gamble, says Di Matteo