World

Europe

Italy

Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

March 24th, 2009 | By: Julian | 30 Comments »

Chris from the Catania blog gives his opinion on who deserves a spot on the Azzurri:

The potential for national side call-ups from Sicily’s “other team” is usually slim, as players with promise have usually moved on before they attain national attention. This year is a bit different, however, as there are two candidates that would be a good fit on Gli Azzurri today.

The first is striker Giuseppe Mascara, a Sicily native, who has bagged a team-leading 9 goals for Catania so far this season, and is a part-time captain. He is neither the fastest, nor the best-looking of Italy’s potential strikers, but had a deft touch around the goal, and is prone to scoring timely goals in key games. Of course, he featured in one of Serie A’s highlight goals this season, scoring from midfield in the Sicilian derby a few weeks back. He would certainly not be a starter on the international stage, but could be a nice late substitute when a scoring touch is required.

Second, goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri has been nothing short of spectacular this year, and it is not unreasonable to credit him alone for Catania’s nearly-assured survival in Serie A. Though the Rossoblu’s defence has generally played stoutly in front of him most games, he can always be counted on for 2-3 critical saves during any given match. I can’t think of anyone playing better between the sticks in Italy this year, Buffon notwithstanding. Not only should he be on the Italy squad, he should be playing. The downside is, if he keeps playing like this, it probably means his stay in Sicily will be short.

Catania thus have two players, a striker and a goalie, who have a valid shot at being in the Azzurri one day in the future. But probably not with Lippi at the helm.

For those of you who haven’t heard yet, the Great Man is refusing to give a reason as to why he won’t call up Cassano. The only thing he is saying is that it’s not related to his temper. An excuse which I find to be utter bullshit. Listen, we- and by “we” I speak mostly for myself- have given Lippi a pretty loose leash. We begged for him to come back, hoping it could erase the memory of Donadoni’s Azzurri. Has it? We’re joint top of our qualifying group but only after shoddy displays and hugely questionable decisions. We’re still not playing with the vigor and desire that was so evident in Germany, and it baffles me that none of the guys on the pitch seem to know how to beat an opponent one-on-one. We’ve seen zero real difference compared to what Donadoni did, besides the fact that we seem a bit luckier. Luck does not last forever.

Cassano isn’t just any player. No, he’s one of the few who can call himself one of the most naturally talented players out there. He’s not super fit but he can just do things with the ball most other guys can’t even think of. Lippi does need to tell us why he’s not calling up Cassano. Cassano deserves it, as he undoubtedly has the skill to not only be on the team, but start and even have the entire team work around him. We as fans deserve it, because we deserve to see Cassano play. We need the dynamicism and pace that Cassano brings. If Lippi is willingly choosing to ignore that, the least he can do is explain why.

Some would argue that we just have to take the call ups for what they are and move on. And to an extent, that’s true. But Lippi, by refusing to call up Cassano, is showing that he’s actually inferior to Donadoni to a degree. The Don at least called up Cassano and played him for the Euros. Yes, his starting 11 was often baffling, but at least we had all the guys who really deserved to be there get called up. Lippi is ignoring players and not even giving us reasons. That my friends seems to be a rather large step back. Donadoni, in the end, at least brought the best guys with him (well, mostly). Lippi isn’t.

For more thoughts on the Cassano situation, check out Francesco’s views on the topic.

Tomorrow: A preview of the game against Montenegro.

Tags: Bizzarri, Cassano, Catania, Euro 2008, Group E, Italy, Marcello Lippi, Mascara, Roberto Donadoni, World Cup 2006, World Cup 2010

Italy World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

digg:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

newsvine:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

reddit:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

fark:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

Y!:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

stumbleupon:Azzurri Stars of the Future: Catania, And Some Thoughts on Cassano

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 30 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By kqql | March 24th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

Donadoni’s 4-3-3 lives on….
Probable 4-3-3

Buffon
Zambro, Canna, Chiellini, Grosso
De Rossi, Pirlo, Palombo/Brighi
Quags, Iaquinta, Toto

Posted from United States

By Julian | March 24th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope:
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar24w.html

Posted from United States

By ricci | March 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

man fuck the fucking 4-3-3. Lippi couldn’t coach himself out of a paper bag right now.

Posted from United States

By James | March 24th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

concur ricci. Lippi’s arrogance is going to ruin our chances in 2010. Question: how does pazzini get a call up and Cassano doesn’t???? This is just baffling and utterly ridiculous on why Lippi refuses to call up AC, hopefully when we barely get by Ireland and Montenegro (w/out Vucinic) the writing will be on the wall that we need a new formation inclusive of a talent like Cassano.

Posted from United States

By alessio | March 24th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

I’d be happier with a 4-3-3 if they were 3 strikers, not a target-man and 2 strikers forced to play on the wing.

I think what Marco P said on the Italy Offside bears some merit, though I don’t necessarily agree with it.

Posted from Spain

By Jessica | March 24th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

Yikes, 4-3-3 just spells trouble – we don’t have the extension for that, and if Zambro and Grosso play on the flanks they will surely be well worn as time rolls on. Pirlo cannot play as deep this time, if he is so provide the right service to the strikers – Call me crazy but I’d like to see Rossi and Pazzini up-front together.

By kqql | March 25th, 2009 at 12:20 am

Luca Toni: Amauri For Italy? I’m Against It
The big striker has joined the bandwagon of those Azzurri players who are against Amauri for Italy…

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/24/1172589/luca-toni-amauri-for-italy-im-against-it

By kqql | March 25th, 2009 at 1:22 am

Vid
Lippi contro Cassano

Lippi contro Cassano
.

By kqql | March 25th, 2009 at 1:22 am

http://www.video.mediaset.it/mplayer.html?sito=sportmediaset&data=2009/03/24&id=3260&from=aggregatore_programmi_sportmediaset_2008

By Armando | March 25th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Iaquinta deserves a starting spot with the form he’s in right now, but there are better strikers than Quagliarella and Di Natale out there at the moment, most notable Pazzini, Cassano, and Del Piero. Unfortunately, for some insane reason, Cassano and Del Piero have not been called up. So basically, the only players on the Azzurri starting lineup who can actually take on their man one-on-one are De Rossi and right now Iaquinta. Del Piero and Cassano were not called up, Camoranesi is injured, and Pazzini and Giuseppe Rossi are for some reason not starting. Dammit Lippi, what the hell are you thinking? And why, someone please tell me why would we stick the 4-3-3 even after the disaster it proved to be against Brazil?

By kqql | March 25th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

Because Lippi thinks it’s 2005

Posted from United States

By kqql | March 25th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Well at least some one makes sense..

Buffon (maybe a future teammate of Cassano) put in a vote of confidence for him & someone else…

“He would be very useful,” Buffon said. “But these decisions must be made by Lippi.

“I don’t think that the doors of La Nazionale should be closed to anyone. Cassano behaved well at Euro 2008 and is one of the most in-form players in Serie A.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar25e.html

Posted from United States

By CJ | March 25th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Lippi had to wake up and smell the coffee cause its been brewing for months!!!!!!!! The team should already be built around Cassano, he should be handed that #10 shirt!

By ilcapitano | March 25th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Lets stop the debates, and enjoy the team for a bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpLEWRh3srk

Its funny seeing all the guys sing…pretty well too!

Posted from United States

By Chris | March 25th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

Oops, I’m an idiot. Yes, Bizzarri is Argentine, but I thought the fact that he has an Italian passport would make him Azzurri-eligible. Apparently this is not the case, since he has already had a stint with Argentina.

Apologies.

Posted from New Zealand

By kqql | March 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

“There will not be any whistles or banners against Lippi at the San Nicola stadium,” Alberto Saverese, who is the leader of Ultras Bari 1976, told Ansa.it.

“Antonio’s exclusion? It’s a technical choice and we respect this. Lippi has won plenty during his career and he considers goodness and character when he makes his choices. Cassano has good feet, but not a good head.”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/26/1175938/bari-ultras-promise-no-trouble-against-marcello-lippi-for-italy-

Posted from United States

By J | March 27th, 2009 at 3:35 am

guys,check it out. http://www.nationalteammanager.com/

Posted from Singapore

By a | March 27th, 2009 at 3:36 am

test

Posted from Singapore

By Panna | March 27th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Is there a solid site to stream the match from on Sunday? Can anyone hook my up?

Posted from United States

By John Silver | March 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

It looks like Cassano matters really are screaming for an explanation all over the place. I’ve covered pretty much the same points in my own preview: http://mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Also, what the fuck in hell is Antonio Di Natale doing in that starting line-up? He shouldn’t even have been called up, let alone taking away the starting place from Giuseppe Rossi.

Armando – do you seriously still believe in Del Piero? After seven consecutive tournaments of underperforming with the Azzurri?

Posted from France

By Jessica | March 27th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

I would’ve gone with ADP over Cassano to be the creator just behind the striker. I think Lippi would (might) still consider Del Piero because “his head is good”, for lack of a better term. I agree though, that we have to look beyond ADP much sooner rather than later.

Also, and although I have not seen Udinese play alot this season, DiNatale should be used behind Rossi as a sub, IMO.

John Silver, the link is not working for me, what info do I have to sign in with?

By Jessica | March 27th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

* Going with ADP assuming Cassano is MIA, that is.

By kqql | March 28th, 2009 at 12:51 am

Motta, Bocchetti and Pazzini will not play in this game, but they made it clear to be during these days of training that they will become important players. I am sure that sooner or later they too will be part of the Nazionale.
http://www.channel4.com/italia

By John Silver | March 28th, 2009 at 8:30 am

Whoops so sorry Jessica, that’s the wrong link. Go to http://www.footballitaliano.co.uk, that’s the site I work with, and click on the article ‘Azzurri preview – Give us Cassano!’

Why are people still clamoring for Del Piero? How often will history have to repeat itself? His performances with the Bianconeri shirt are not even remotely reflective of those with the Azzurri one, and we all know that.

Posted from France

By Jessica | March 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Thank-you for the new link. I have added the site to my Favourites folder, I forgot to do that before. After the game today all of your points are true…. I don’t see Lippi calling Del Piero up anyway, but something has to change.

Comments are closed