Italian team needing goal and break in play, say (12)
I believe the answer is:
intermission
'break in play say' is the definition.
'intermission' can be an answer for 'break' (synonyms). I am not sure about the 'in play say' bit.
'italian team needing goal' is the wordplay.
'italian team' becomes 'inter' (Inter Milan FC).
'needing' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'goal' becomes 'mission'.
'inter'+'mission'='INTERMISSION'
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for intermission that I've seen before include "Entr'acte" , "Pause, break" , "Interval" , "Break; respite" , "Theatre's half-time" .)