German players not flavour of the month

Berlin: Germany's footballers, who lost 4-1 to Italy in midweek, were ridiculed on Friday with Bild newspaper likening them to pizza ingredients.

Under a headline "Pizza Quattro Gegentori," which translates as "Pizza of four goals conceded," Bild mocked the players by publishing a photo linking them with various pizza ingredients.

Striker Miroslav Klose had the body of an onion, midfielder Sebastian Deisler was likened to a tin of tuna, while striker Lukas Podolski was nicknamed "Poldi the asparagus."

Captain Michael Ballack was likened to salami with Bild claiming "he played like a sausage." Midfielder Bernd Schneider was a clove of garlic because, the newspaper said, his performance "stank."

Since Wednesday's match in Florence, the German press has savaged the national team, often using strong words such as "shame, disaster or catastrophe."

The performance of the national team is particularly important this year as Germany play host to the 32-team, June 9 to July 9 World Cup finals.