The Official Azzurri thread

[ricky2882]

I'll be really disappointed in Lippi if Dossena makes it to the WC above Santon, and Pepe above Cassano. I'd love to see Giovinco make it too...maybe in Di Natale's or Quagliarella's place?

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Reaction from PADDY AGNEW, Irish Times reporter in Rome:

Lippi ignores appeal to call up Cassano
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/spo ... 70056.html – Monday, March 23, 2009

MUCH AS expected, Italian coach Marcello Lippi has resisted popular pressure to call up enigmatic talent Antonio Cassano for Italy’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro in Podgorica on Saturday and against Ireland in Bari on April 1st. With Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni, Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino and Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi all ruled out through injury, it seemed there might be space for Sampdoria and ex-Real Madrid striker Cassano, who has been in outstanding form in Serie A this season.

However, Lippi would appear to have serious reservations about a player who in the past has been involved in spectacular rows with his clubs, firstly with AS Roma and then with Real Madrid. Not even the temptation to play the “local heroâ€

[Bagg10]

[p_maldini_3]

bagg, montolivo sucked in the game vs. brazil. his movement was horrible and he did not contribute anything to the game [in the first half].

[Bagg10]

Pirlo was worst player on the pitch, and yet he still makes the line-up...

[RomaShield27]

montolivo has been very poor this season, he said so himself. Mind you Pirlo hasn't been much better. If you were to pick a three-man midfield based purely on form (not that that matters to Lippi) from those selected it would have to be De Rossi-Brighi-Palombo, but that leaves little creativity, so Pirlo would start I guess. So De Rossi-Pirlo-Brighi.

[Lombardiamia]

FUCK LIPPI

[p_maldini_3]

why? because he chose no inter players?

[Lombardiamia]

Not at all. I'm always happy when Inter players dont get chosen for the national teams. The problem with him is that he is supposed to represent Italy not just himself. Right now, as happened prior the WC with Panucci, he is simply representing himself by not calling up Cassano. He obviously had some issues with him and now, no matter how good he plays, the likes of Pepe or Quagliarella will always be chosen over him.
When asked about his choices, he always replies that any professional Italian player between the age of 18 & 40 are in for a chance to be called up. Probably he should add...except Cassano..

P.S. I also hate him for giving a preferential lane to the Juventini and if ever I'll see Amauri playing with the Azzurri shirt, I guess that will be the day I'll stop supporting them. Camoranesi is already one too many!

[p_maldini_3]

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

How very convenient..

Lippi: 'Non parlo di Cassano'



"Di Cassano non parlo". Marcello Lippi chiude il discorso sul nascere. Interpellato sull'esclusione del talento barese della Sampdoria, il ct dell'Italia ha tagliato corto: "Io parlo solo dei presenti e Cassano non è qui. Ho delle convinzioni che porto avanti e faccio le mie scelte, non sono tenuto a dare spiegazioni. E non perché sono arrogante o presuntuoso, ma solo perché preferisco concentrarmi sui giocatori che ho a disposizione".

[juventino_italiano]

[ricky2882]

[ricky2882]

[p_maldini_3]

Lippi opens to new generation
Tuesday 24 March, 2009
Marcello Lippi aims to “gradually integrate youngsters into this squadâ€

[Carlo Romano]

I like this article...I've always been a firm believer in youth and after Euro 2008 it was pretty obvious Don Marcello would have to integrate new and younger blood.

I have a lot of respect for this man who tends to know just when to tell it like it is or take the diplomatic route. Needless to say he is exactly right on England! If it wasn't for foreign talent and investment...

I'm certain Lomba believes in his reasons for criticising Lippi. Yes, there have been mistakes, certainly he will always be accused of being more simpatico towards Juventini but never, I would say, to the point of harming our nazionale with a player who does not deserve a place. He is too much of a professional to act otherwise. As for his once again refusing Cassano, if I was commissario technico I'm not 100% sure I'd want the scugnizzo barese either. Forget temper, I've seen him lose heart too easily more than once in the past when things didn't go as he wished.

On the subject of another professional, il Trap in his day was an excellent coach...I liked his Inter for example very much. I can't see him getting the better of Lippi though, I think the Republic's current mister is finally showing his age though I can't imagine him not leading his team to Sth Africa...

[stefano]

Trap finally showing his age. Have you forgetton WC 2002?

[Carlo Romano]

Steve, nobody could forget that Trapattoni is considered the most successful club coach in the history of Italy and how could any Italian forget the 2002 affair, particularly the famous incident when il Trap kicked in the the tv monitor following the ridiculous refereeing decisions of that Ecuadorian idiot...not that he was the only one Italy suffered over! But that was seven years ago and I haven't forgotten the criticism Trap took for his negative tactics at Euro 2004 following his more open attacking style of 2002.

Granted he did well in his one season with Benfica. I'm not out to bash Trapattoni but it must be said the Portuguese league is not the most competitive and he didn't really cover himself in glory after. With Stuttgart, negative tactics, sacked after seven months. I actually had to look up the name of the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg (who?) he then went on to for two years as I'd never even heard of them before or since his becoming the Irish Republic coach.

I'm sure Ed will want to jump on me from a great height over my statement that il Trap is starting to show his age. After all, the Irish have 10 points as do our Azzurri and as I already said, I cannot imagine Trap not taking Ireland to Sth Africa. Though Lippi didn't get off to the greatest of starts in his second term as our nazionale ct, some of Trap's results show it's not all wine and roses with him either...If Trap's track record is anything to go by when we face him in a few days then we can look to him trying to stifle our gameplan, frustrate our guys, and hope to steal a goal.

The only consistent period of openly attacking football tactics I can ever remember Trap involved in was with his grande Juve of the early to mid 80's. He himself admitted he had no choice in the matter, when you had as he did, attacking talent of the pedigree of Rossi, Platini, Boniek, Tardelli etc then he had to utilise it to it's full potential.

For sure, I respect the guy, he's an Italian legend, but he is getting old, something only a premature death saves a person from. Could you imagine the comments of the world press if Trap brings Lippi down in Italy? Can you honestly see Lippi allowing that to happen?