The Official Azzurri thread

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[Messinterista]

[Alfio]

[Carlo Romano]

It's only a so-called educated guess from within the football trade, guys. It's not 100% certain to be London.

You never know, Andrew, the FA might just consider this worthy of New Wembley, again presuming the inside info from Italy is correct on London.

[Messinterista]

[Carlo Romano]

[Messinterista]

[Amedio]

Lippi sees bright future

Marcello Lippi thinks the new breed of Italian talent can summon the spirit of 2006 and restore the Azzurri to the summit of international football.



[quote]After Roberto Donadoni’s reign ended in disappointment at Euro 2008, Lippi was reinstated as Coach.

The 60-year-old has the daunting task of rebuilding the side ahead of World Cup 2010, but he is confident that he has the necessary talent pool.

“I won’t name particular players, but I am optimistic,â€

[RomaShield27]

Nesta Rules Out Italy Return
www.goal.com – 16/07/2008 13:41

Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has ruled out the chance of a return to the Italy national team, and says that there is no chance of him overturning his decision. The 32-year-old has not played for the Azzurri since a Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia in October 2006, eventually announcing his retirement from the international game last year.

Following the exit of Italy coach Roberto Donadoni, who Nesta did not have a great relationship with, and the return of Marcello Lippi, there have been many reports in the media that the former Lazio star, as well as Francesco Totti, could return for the 2010 World Cup campaign. While Totti has so far failed to rule out a comeback, Nesta has confirmed that he will not be overturning his retirement decision.

"The national team is a closed chapter,â€

[tonykart]

WC 2010 Lineup

--------------------------BUFFON

ZAMBROTTA - GAMBERINI - CHIELLINI - GROSSO

--------------GATTUSO - PIRLO - DE ROSSI

-------------------------GIOVINCO

---------------------TONI - CASSANO

[Messinterista]

Totti Considers Azzurri Return

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=780078

Francesco Totti has admitted that there is a possibility he may come out of international retirement to play for Italy once again.

The Roma captain played his last game for the Azzurri in the 2006 World Cup final win over France two years ago. Following a season of uncertainty, he finally announced his retirement from international football last year.

However, following the return of Marcello Lippi as coach of the Azzurri, there have been reports that Totti, as well as Alessandro Nesta, may come out of international retirement ahead of the 2010 World Cup campaign.

Nesta yesterday made a statement in which he stressed that there was no chance of him making a comeback, referring to Italy as a “closed chapterâ€

[tonykart]

Lippi Wants Juve Players For First Match

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Marcello Lippi is hoping to rely on a whole host of Juventus players for his first game back in charge of the Italy national team.

Lippi, who coached the Azzurri from 2004 to 2006, famously leading them to World Cup glory in Germany, returned to the Italy bench, following the Euro 2008 disappointment, to succeed Roberto Donadoni.

The 60-year-old’s first game back in charge will be a friendly against Austria in Nice on August 20. Historically, Italy tend to struggle in games during August and September, mainly because their domestic season starts later than most other countries in Europe.

In view of this, Lippi is hoping to call up players who are further ahead in their pre-season preparations. Juventus and Fiorentina, who have Champions League preliminaries next month, fall into this category.

A whole host of Bianconeri players could now be called, with the Gazzetta dello Sport saying that Lippi wants Buffon, Chiellini, Camoranesi, Iaquinta and The Waterboy.

First of all Lippi needs to receive the blessing of Juve boss Claudio Ranieri because the friendly with Austria sits right in the middle of the first and second leg of the Bianconeri’s Champions League qualifier.

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

The most interesting thing will be to see who Lippi chooses to partner Chiellini. Will he stick with Cannavaro, knowing that there is only a small chance he might be good enough for another WC... or does he move on and start looking at guys like Gamberini? Italy is running out of great defenders. We seem to be like every other country and just produce wing-type players.

[Messinterista]

[Bagg10]

[tonykart]

[JuveGER]

I read that he would have been suspended for the first 3 games or something due to a red card in a qualification match.

[tonykart]

[RomaShield27]

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport (paper edition), July 9, 2008, article by Fabio Licari
Translated by Marco Pantanella of www.mcalcio.com

One day, Marcello Lippi closed his eyes and a magical scene went through his mind: entering Berlin’s stadium to play the FIFA World Cup final against Brazil. Then, he reopened his eyes and told everyone about his dream, without any concern that he might be made fun of. Indeed, Marcello had a strong belief that his boys “could match any team in the worldâ€