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Italy's Lippi equals record of 31 games unbeaten
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFoot ... 9?rpc=401&
iWed Nov 19, 2008 10:33pm GM

ATHENS, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Italy coach Marcello Lippi equalled the world record of 31 successive international games without defeat when his side drew 1-1 in a friendly with Greece on Wednesday. Fanis Gekas put Greece ahead in the 50th minute but Luca Toni equalised five minutes later to secure the draw that took Lippi level with Javier Clemente of Spain and Alfio Basile of Argentina.

Lippi, who has reached the mark over two stints with Italy, also beat the Italian record of 30 set by Vittorio Pozzo between 1935 and 1939. Lippi's first spell in charge ran from 2004 to 2006 when he led Italy to victory in the World Cup in Germany. He was reappointed this year after Italy's poor performance at the European Championships under Roberto Donadoni.

"This is something that will from now on accompany me in every game," said Lippi, referring to the constant questions about the record. "It is something that gives me pleasure but what makes me happiest in this streak of good results is something very important, a World Cup. "The unbeaten streak in itself is meaningless without that important victory."

Alexandros Tzorvas, making his debut in goal for Greece, had an excellent game and produced a cluster of fine saves including two in the second half to deny Mauro Camoranesi. Neither side offered much in the way of entertainment or chances in a poor first half, although Tzorvas got down well to palm away a Gennaro Gattuso shot and then denied Giuseppe Rossi from a metre out.

Greece were twice unlucky, first when they were denied a penalty in the 39th minute after a Gattuso handball and then a minute later when Vangelis Mantzios had a goal ruled out for offside. The game sparked into life five minutes into the second period when substitute Gekas ran on to a deft pass from Alexandros Tziolis to fire the ball wide of Morgan De Sanctis in the Italian goal.

Italy then levelled as Bayern Munich striker Toni rose high above the defence at the back post to head in Daniele De Rossi's cross from the right. (Additional reporting by Daniel Flynn, editing by Alan Baldwin)

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[quote]Monday 24 November, 2008
Blog: Cassano Royale

Antonio Cassano was again stellar on Sunday, but Antonio Labbate can’t help but feel he is one of Italian football’s greatest wasted talents
Regret and disappointment are strange emotions to feel after witnessing the latest instalment of the Antonio Cassano show at Marassi. Especially as there was no sign of the bad boy persona which stalks him. The only Cassano present within the Ferraris walls was the gifted one who coaxed the ball to fulfil his every command.

Strange then that after an awe-inspiring performance against Catania, where he had a crucial hand in the first goal and netted the other two himself, that it was hard to share his delight. He rightly rejoiced in the pure admiration that contaminated the arena, but it was impossible for euphoria to mask the reality that this could be about as good as it gets for the No 99.

Why? Because for every kick, flick and trick executed by the man with the golden touch comes the realisation that he will be probably be remembered as the greatest wasted talent that Italian football has ever produced.

Born the day after Italy’s 1982 World Cup victory, Cassano had the technical ability to today be regarded as one of Europe’s finest players, be playing for one of the big three in Serie A and be an established Italian international.

Instead, the Gioiello di Bari Vecchia isn’t. He’s starring for a modest non-Champions League outfit in Sampdoria and has just 15 international caps to his name. Daniele De Rossi, born a year later, has 42.

It’ll be difficult for Cassano to add to his tally. Euro 2008 proved beneficial to him, but the defeat to Spain didn’t. Roberto Donadoni’s exit paved the way for Marcello Lippi to return and the latter hasn’t felt the need to call him up since. “The door is open,â€

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Amelia Wants Carrozzieri And Bovo For The Azzurri

Azzurri back up keeper Marco Amelia believes that two of his Palermo team mates should join him in the Italian national team.

Following last night's impressive display against the Rossonero half of Milan, Amelia has spoken of two other players that put in sterling performances against Il Diavolo.

Milan missed an opportunity to move back to within three points of the Nerazzurri with victory at Palermo in the evening game last night, slumping to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Sicilians instead.

The home team dominated from start to finish but had to wait until the 50th minute before going ahead through Fabrizio Miccoli.

Edison Cavani added a second in the 59th minute before Fabio Simplicio sealed the win 10 minutes from the end. Ronaldinho scored a consolation from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute having missed from the spot in a first half in which he also hit the crossbar.

The talented goalkeeper commended the performance of his central defensive partnership, with Cesare Bovo and Moris Carrozzieri holding the line and contributing to a stunning win against the mighty Milan.

Amelia said, “I think that Carrozzieri is an excellent defender, just as Bovo is too. We have a central pairing that is well balanced, with different qualities. One is more physical and the other more technical and capable of reading and anticipating the game. I think that with time Lippi will notice them. They obviously have to keep it up.â€

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Cassano: Lippi hates me!
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... dec6j.html – Saturday 6 December, 2008

Antonio Cassano has given up hope of an Italy recall “while this Coach is still on the bench,â€

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