So something that a lot of people predicted would happen came true. During this tournament we got our asses handed to us. We played horrible, slow football, with no rhythm and no sence of direction. We got what we deserved. I am not disappointed, I am actually happy about this. I just feel bad for Egypt because they deserved to go through not the USA.
So is this the beginning of the clean out that we so desperately need. Lippi is living in the past. As much as I respect him he has to see that his players are not the same players they were in 2006. Not only that he has to see that Italy is not suited to the 4-3-3 formation as we just dont have the players for it and it leaves our defense exposed all the time. We have young players who are ready to make the step up. Right now the FIGC has to sit down with Lippi and see what his plans are. If he wants to continue doing what he is doing and pretending that nothing is wrong he must be fired. With the players we have coming through we have the potential to make it to the final 4 if not even further next world cup. But with Lippi's selection we wont make it past the group stage if we make it there at all.
This is what the team should be moving towards in a year.
...................................Buffon
Motta/Santon....CB(?)....Chiellini....Grosso/Santon
........Mid(?)....Pirlo/D'Agostino....De Rossi
.............................Cassano
..............Goal Poacher(#9)......Rossi
For the CB, it will probably be Cannavaro but he has had some very poor performances of late. I say its more down to the formation then his ability but its somthing that has to be looked at. Another thing that worries me is that we dont really have the World Class CB anymore other then Chiellini.
Mid it depends if we want to play attacking or defensive. If we want to go defensive Marchisio is ready to step in while there is also Gattuso but I dont think he is up to NT standard anymore. If we want to go attacking Camoranesi would be first choice but I think Foggia is a much better option.
There is not point of playing with 2 goal poachers. If we can have the creativity of Cassano and Rossi and put out #9 beside them that would work. It should be between Iaquinta, Gilardino or Pazzini but Balotelli and Acquafresca have to be looked at as well.
There should be no more call ups for Toni. He is useless simple as that. And depending on how this season goes Giovinco has to be looked at, where he can play a wide range of rolls along with Criscito.
Full Version: Italian NT
I liked the look of Pepe when he came on yesterday. Could he feature anywhere?
I never really saw what the big deal in Pepe is. He looks overrated to me. If Lippi continues doing what his is doing he will have a very good shot as the 4-3-3 formation suits his playing style a lot. Personally I think there is much better out there. His teammate Floro Flores for example, I think is much better then Pepe.
The problem is the same as it has been since 2006, that team was pretty much at its peak and could not be repeated, Donadoni started to change things around and took gambles and it didn't quite pay off, then Lippi came in again and has tried to go with his favourite players again.
The thing is with the bad performances in the CC, the Italy that takes to the field at the WC may well be considerably different in terms of form and/or personnel, it is a year away yet and Lippi acknowledges where he needs to change the team. The team is still top of its WCQ group with a game in hand and apart from another 3-0 defeat against a Brazil side we never do well against in such matches they have been hard to beat so I'm not going to unduly worry about how the team might do in the WC. As I said in the other thread, it is near impossible to retain a World Cup anyway because a) most of the winning teams are full of veterans or players at their peak or on the cusp of it, look at France 98, Brazil 02, Italy 06. That is how you win the World Cup, not with kids. And
everyone is out to beat you. This Italy might be just too old but they will still be tough to actually beat in the WC when it matters most.
You aren't going to see loads of new players come in, maybe 2 or 3 maximum. Lippi doesn't get on with Cassano but he is class. I go on about it all the time but Italy has such depth, they just don't get a run because he is spoilt. There are the favourites and then there are another 30 players who get chopped and changed in each squad.
The thing is with the bad performances in the CC, the Italy that takes to the field at the WC may well be considerably different in terms of form and/or personnel, it is a year away yet and Lippi acknowledges where he needs to change the team. The team is still top of its WCQ group with a game in hand and apart from another 3-0 defeat against a Brazil side we never do well against in such matches they have been hard to beat so I'm not going to unduly worry about how the team might do in the WC. As I said in the other thread, it is near impossible to retain a World Cup anyway because a) most of the winning teams are full of veterans or players at their peak or on the cusp of it, look at France 98, Brazil 02, Italy 06. That is how you win the World Cup, not with kids. And
everyone is out to beat you. This Italy might be just too old but they will still be tough to actually beat in the WC when it matters most. You aren't going to see loads of new players come in, maybe 2 or 3 maximum. Lippi doesn't get on with Cassano but he is class. I go on about it all the time but Italy has such depth, they just don't get a run because he is spoilt. There are the favourites and then there are another 30 players who get chopped and changed in each squad.
I like Pepe but I can see why a British fan pick him out because he is athletic and gets about and crosses the ball. That is ok when you haven't got a centre forward with his confidence on its ass. Pepe is also a bit rough sometimes.
Lippi learns Confed lessons
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Marcello Lippi insists he now has clearer ideas about Italy’s future after their Confederations Cup nightmare.
The Azzurri were eliminated from the competition last night after collecting just a win against 10-man America, followed by defeats to Egypt and Brazil.
“We didn’t give a good account of ourselves,” admitted the tactician on Monday. “This is perhaps the worst moment as my time as Italy boss.
“We’ll accept the slaps in the face which we have received, but the reconstruction of this side is still taking place.
“I never said that it was complete and I never stated that the squad which I took to the Confederations Cup would be the one I take to the World Cup next year.”
Lippi has been widely criticised by the Italian media for keeping faith with a large majority of the players who helped him win the World Cup in 2006.
However, the tactician, who returned to the helm last summer after the side’s difficulties under Roberto Donadoni, indicated that change is on the horizon.
“When things go badly you acknowledge them and take action,” continued the former Juventus Coach. “I haven’t come here with blinkers on.
“When I returned to the national bench I started work on rebuilding the side. The veterans were there and I considered them as fundamental in the qualifying process.
“Now though there are some very clear ideas in my mind and I have come to realise a lot of things.”
Lippi seemed to be suggesting that he was ready to dispose of some players and embrace a new breed.
“I won’t mention any names, but I have come to some conclusions,” he added. “And I’m not just talking about the older players, I now have clearer thoughts on the new players too.
“Mario Balotelli? I’m not saying anything and I’m not excluding anything either.”
The tactician has employed a rather adventurous and unsuccessful 4-3-3 formation since his return, but that too looks like it is heading for the scrapheap.
“We do suffer in certain situations,” continued Lippi. “We need something which will offer us a little more balance.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcello Lippi insists he now has clearer ideas about Italy’s future after their Confederations Cup nightmare.
The Azzurri were eliminated from the competition last night after collecting just a win against 10-man America, followed by defeats to Egypt and Brazil.
“We didn’t give a good account of ourselves,” admitted the tactician on Monday. “This is perhaps the worst moment as my time as Italy boss.
“We’ll accept the slaps in the face which we have received, but the reconstruction of this side is still taking place.
“I never said that it was complete and I never stated that the squad which I took to the Confederations Cup would be the one I take to the World Cup next year.”
Lippi has been widely criticised by the Italian media for keeping faith with a large majority of the players who helped him win the World Cup in 2006.
However, the tactician, who returned to the helm last summer after the side’s difficulties under Roberto Donadoni, indicated that change is on the horizon.
“When things go badly you acknowledge them and take action,” continued the former Juventus Coach. “I haven’t come here with blinkers on.
“When I returned to the national bench I started work on rebuilding the side. The veterans were there and I considered them as fundamental in the qualifying process.
“Now though there are some very clear ideas in my mind and I have come to realise a lot of things.”
Lippi seemed to be suggesting that he was ready to dispose of some players and embrace a new breed.
“I won’t mention any names, but I have come to some conclusions,” he added. “And I’m not just talking about the older players, I now have clearer thoughts on the new players too.
“Mario Balotelli? I’m not saying anything and I’m not excluding anything either.”
The tactician has employed a rather adventurous and unsuccessful 4-3-3 formation since his return, but that too looks like it is heading for the scrapheap.
“We do suffer in certain situations,” continued Lippi. “We need something which will offer us a little more balance.”
Well now we see if Lippi really did learn anything. Its clear that 4-3-3 does not work. And its clear that we need that one player to link the mids with the strikers. A lot of people always said that Totti never really did much for the NT. That's Bull. Eversince he left we have not been the same team at all. We need that player back who can fill that roll.
QUOTE(goal.com)
Luca Toni, Zambrotta & Gattuso Risk Italy Chop - Report
The Azzurri trio may have played their last matches for La Nazionale, according to a report from the peninsula...
After Italy's humiliating Confederations Cup campaign, coach Marcello Lippi is set to make a few changes, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Veterans Luca Toni, Gennaro Gattuso, and Gianluca Zambrotta appear to be the players most at risk after they all disappointed in South Africa.
In defense, Nicola Legrottaglie is likely to make way along with Zambrotta as Marco Motta, Domenico Criscito, Salvatore Bocchetti, and Fabiano Santacroce are all under consideration to make the jump to the senior team. Meanwhile, the futures of Daniele Bonera and Andrea Dossena are not yet defined.
As previously mentioned, Gattuso will be dropped if he cannot regain form, with Gaetano D'Agostino, Claudio Marchisio, and Matteo Brighi on the verge of stepping in. Simone Perrotta was left off the Confederations Cup squad and is not likely to return.
Lippi does not seem to rate Napoli winger Cristian Maggio and finds Pasquale Foggia too inconsistent.
In attack, only Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino, and Giuseppe Rossi appear to be safe. Toni will be dropped immediately for Giampaolo Pazzini. The coach remains unconvinced by the attitudes of Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano, but believes Sebastian Giovinco can make a contribution if he receives regular playing time with Juventus.
The Azzurri trio may have played their last matches for La Nazionale, according to a report from the peninsula...
After Italy's humiliating Confederations Cup campaign, coach Marcello Lippi is set to make a few changes, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Veterans Luca Toni, Gennaro Gattuso, and Gianluca Zambrotta appear to be the players most at risk after they all disappointed in South Africa.
In defense, Nicola Legrottaglie is likely to make way along with Zambrotta as Marco Motta, Domenico Criscito, Salvatore Bocchetti, and Fabiano Santacroce are all under consideration to make the jump to the senior team. Meanwhile, the futures of Daniele Bonera and Andrea Dossena are not yet defined.
As previously mentioned, Gattuso will be dropped if he cannot regain form, with Gaetano D'Agostino, Claudio Marchisio, and Matteo Brighi on the verge of stepping in. Simone Perrotta was left off the Confederations Cup squad and is not likely to return.
Lippi does not seem to rate Napoli winger Cristian Maggio and finds Pasquale Foggia too inconsistent.
In attack, only Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino, and Giuseppe Rossi appear to be safe. Toni will be dropped immediately for Giampaolo Pazzini. The coach remains unconvinced by the attitudes of Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano, but believes Sebastian Giovinco can make a contribution if he receives regular playing time with Juventus.
I agree with all most everything in terms of the chops.
However I disagree with Foggia being too inconsistent. He hardly ever had a chance to play for the NT. He can bring so much creativity to our squad.
About the Attitude of Cassano thats bull. He has changed so much over the past two seasons. He is mature and he is ready to become the focal point of this team. Balotelli needs some guidance and he will be huge.
As far as the article goes, Toni should never put the NT Jersey on again, and Zambrotta, Gattuso and Legrottaglie should only be used as subs at most.
They are the obvious three - for Santon, Montolivo/Palombo and Gilardino.
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