The Official Azzurri thread

[morra10]

it's less stressful knowing lippi's in charge that's for sure. With donadoni, he just kept making the wrong decision over and over. But with lippi you know 99% of the time, he's going to make the right choice....

[Italiamia]

[Amedio]

[Carlo Romano]

I think it has been me not expressing myself properly, Ahmed.

No, there's no point in having all the possession from constant attacking football however entertaining it may appear to be if you don't win. If you lose the ball just once and your opponent scores a goal and you still can't, what then? You must always be covered at the back!

But read Lippi's statement where he says purely defensive football doesn't work in this day and age. I thought when I made the point that he would take us away from Donadoni's over defensive tactics it was understood I didn't mean to go down the complete opposite route of flat out attack, just into a more attack minded game plan.

Where you and I differ is I'd prefer to see teams successfully impose their will over others. You could say powering their way to victory by forcing the opposition back...and when possession is lost, then containing your opponent as high up the pitch as possible. What used to be called pressing football. That's not your way yet Lippi's first Juventus, the best I've ever seen did it. Sacchi's Milan did it. Lippi even used a modernised form of that, a watered down version for want of a better expression in Germany 2 years ago. What you describe to me is a preference for counter attack which I grant also works but let's be honest here...we do first and foremost what we must to win and it doesn't matter how we do it. But...if we can both entertain and win at the same time then that's all the better and that's why I prefer my way.

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

I am with Ahmed 100% when it comes to tactics.

[Carlo Romano]

[Amedio]

[p_maldini_3]

[JuveGER]

[Amedio]

[RomaShield27]

Of course you can! You don't have to ask me every time you want to start a new thread, as long as its interesting I'm sure people will post in it. An Azzurrini thread sounds great!

[red]

[Messinterista]

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

[RomaShield27]

Brazil announce Italy clash
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... jul4c.html – Friday 4 July, 2008

The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed that Italy will face Brazil in a friendly on February 11, 2009. Two of football’s superpowers have agreed to meet early next year ahead of the second part of their World Cup 2010 qualification campaigns.

The Brazilians claim that the venue is yet to be decided, but their Italian counterparts insist it will be held in London – an official decision should be announced shortly.

World Cup winning Coach Marcello Lippi will be back at the helm for this repeat of World Cup 1994 Final.

The respected tactician’s meaningful action in World Cup qualification Group 8 begins with a visit to Cyprus on September 9 before tests against Georgia, Bulgaria and Montenegro.

There will then be a break in international fixtures until the end of March 2009 and the friendly against Brazil will be a valuable chance for the Azzurri to meet up ahead of a trip to Montenegro.

[Alfio]

About time Italy V Brazil is something very special in my mind the two greatest footballing nations

[red]

[Carlo Romano]