ROME (AP) _ Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is fed up with media criticism that he's lost control of his team.

The Azzurri, who face Scotland in European Championship qualifying in Bari on Wednesday, trail the Scots and France by five points in Group B.

``If the results don't come, it's right to criticize and draw conclusions. But if, if, if. Let this team play. I don't understand why there are already trials before the things happen,'' Donadoni said Monday.

An editorial in leading daily Corriere della Sera on Monday described Donadoni as a leftover survivor from a previous regime.

``I'm not irritated,'' Donadoni said at Italy's training camp in Florence, according to the ANSA news agency. ``But a lot of things are being piled on top of me. I think what's emerging is nostalgia for the past. I'm not going to play this game.''

When Marcello Lippi resigned after guiding Italy to the World Cup title in July, the relatively inexperienced Donadoni was hired by then federation commissioner Guido Rossi. Rossi acted on the recommendation of Donadoni's former AC Milan teammate Demetrio Albertini, who was then federation vice-commissioner.

Rossi resigned in September and his replacement, Luca Pancalli, confirmed support for Donadoni. But Pancalli is due to leave office next week and the only candidate to replace him _ Giancarlo Abete _ has indicated he would like to see Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti in charge of the Azzurri.

``It's difficult to imagine that the world champions feel like Donadoni is their leader. Donadoni never was a leader,'' the Corriere della Sera editorial said. ``They are still devoted to the memory of Lippi.''

Ancelotti announced last week that he would like to coach Italy when his contract with Milan expires in 2008.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro expressed support for Donadoni.

``We always say we don't read the papers, but then we're the first to check them each morning,'' Cannavaro said. ``For this national team you need a saint as coach. Donadoni is fine where he is.''

Italy drew 1-1 with Lithuania and lost 3-1 to France in its first two qualifiers under Donadoni. The Azzurri beat Ukraine and Georgia in their last qualifiers, but face a significant deficit in the group since France beat Lithuania and Scotland beat Georgia on Saturday while Italy was idle.

``Scotland won Saturday but it seems more like Italy lost. In case somebody wasn't aware, I would like to note that we didn't play,'' Donadoni said.