Debate: Azzurri Coaches

that was painful to the eyes…once again.

cant wait to see alessio show up with his usual lippi apologist comments that we’ve been seeing after each and every game italy has played since the summer of 2008.

Guys get used to the fact that at this rate we will be the first World Cup winning nation not to be at the following World Cup.

Have you looked at where we are in the table? I know you’re bitching and moaning about all things Azzurri, but we’re getting the points no matter how ugly.

If Italy lose on Wednesday, which is likely, Lippi should be fired. He should be fired for this poor Word Cup defence, He should be fired for this poor world cup qualifying and he should be fired for the embarassment he caused at the confederation cup. I am disgusted in this guy its easily time for a change. Had Georgia had a little more talent, they would have easily scored 4 goals today.

Keep complaining all you want but it’s pointless. We know you hate Lippi and want to see him fired, but anyone can tell you unless we fail to make it to the WC, there is zero chance of that happening.

Zambrotta and Cannavaro both got nicely burnt by a third world soccer country down that right side

Second world.

This is the most disgusting time in Azzurri memory for me.

When did you become a fan, 2005? You don’t remember our catenaccio-style failures in 2004 and 2002? Those were pathetic, ambling our way through the qualifications is nowhere on that level.

But maybe you’re right. Short-sightedness is the name of the game, BRING TRAP BACK!

Posted from  United States

Obviously what Lippi is doing isn’t working, but your pointless drivel blames the FIGC, the Italian culture, everyone in Serie A, Garibaldi, Mussolini…everything is utter shit and clearly only a complete revolution can save the squad.

Posted from  United States

Haha, Alessio your finally getting the point!

The FIGC, LIPPI and Serie A are to blame for this mess.

I did prefer the days of the Trap over this mess. We had DelPiero, Totti and Vieri powerhousing this team at their prime. We were more than capable of defeating any nation on the planet on a regular basis. Our tactics however ensured it was always a nail bitter. But say what you will, the trap more often than not brought the players needed. All the best players, but a very very few that needed to be there were there. The soccer may have been ugly at times, but everyone
was at the top of their game, bright new spots were discovered (Cassano). Even though we didnt have a world cup victory we were never HUMILIATED like we have been the last year.

I question how long you’ve actually been watching the Azzurri. Had you been watching this team for nearly as long as I have you’ll realize a) We have only average players on this team. b) this team in its current form has not even the right to be called the Azzurri. They should put on green uniforms for the next match until things start changing.

A revolution isnt needed. Just a new coach, and a complete removal of those people named Zambrotta, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Palombo, Pepe, Gilardino, Camronesi.

The game was pretty awful. I dont think the Azzurri should rely on wrong-footed defenders from the other team to score for them. What, this is now 3 games since Italy has scored? There is just no way that the team Lippi has been fielding will be able to compete against Spain or Germany or even Russia. It is like Lippi is completely oblivious to reality – his team is not comprised of the best Italian players, they are just his favorites. If he is too stubborn to see that 2006 is not going to work in 2010 then Italy does not have a chance in South Africa.

Posted from  United States

lol. i dont think i could have cued it up any better for you, alessio. your timing was absolutely impeccable!

Alessio’s deconstructions of other people’s rants are, generally speaking, accurate. There is no doubt that we will qualify, and there have been far more embarrassing moments in modern Azzurri history (hell, Donadoni was worse than this).

With that being said, Lippi’s management is practically indefensible. From the formation to the callups to the results against major adversaries, he has led us to a state where watching the Azzurri is anything but a pleasure. If you do not address or at the very least acknowledge this problem, Alessio, your contradictory attitude will come off as no more constructive than the rants which you so earnestly belittle.

You know that taking apart other people’s posts is easy. Do better than that.

Posted from  France

Wow…………..no game thread………?

………..I guess no one cares…..
anyway ////////////Main problem is the midfiled and RB,,,,,,,
w.o service to fwds ,,,,,,, we wouldnot be scoring anytime score …. I don’t care how good or average the fwds are.

This team needs e.g Totti or Cassano or even Gio…………………….
+D’Ago is better than Pirlo right now….watch the game after he came on.

Player Ratings
Georgia 0 – Italy 2

http://www.sportmediaset.it/calcio/articoli/articolo26343.shtml
Italia (4-4-2):
Buffon 7;
Zambrotta 5,5, Cannavaro 6, Chiellini 6,5, Criscito 6;
Marchionni 5,5 (12′ st D’Agostino 6,5),Pirlo 6, alombo 6,Camoranesi 6 (27′ st Santon sv);
Iaquinta 5,5, G. Rossi 5 (12′ st Quagliarella 7).
A disposizione: Marchetti, Legrottaglie, Pepe, Gilardino.
All.: Lippi
-sportmediaset

P>S Alessio last game Italy scored a goal was vs USA.
ZERO vs Egypt
ZERO vs Brazil
ZERO vs Swiss (although marchisio was a bit unforunate not score on Rossi’s pass)
ZERo vs Georgia
.

Another bad performance, Italy 2 Georgia 0: funny thing both goals were scored by Georgian player. I think Lippi should call Kakha Kaladze to play for Azzurri since his strikers cannot score. What a shame.
Lippi: ‘We earned own goals’ What a Dump Fuck Coach.

The guy will get a contract extension in italy for doing them a favour.

I’ve been saying for over a year now that Pirlo needs to get dropped. He’s just so weak physically to play in the middle of the pitch. Palombo did 4X the amount of running b/c Pirlo is just the laziest, slowest guy ever. Ridiculous amount of talent but getting old sucks. We did look weak in midfield today without De Rossi, so all you guys who say he sucks (Marco) and then say the midfield sucks when he didn’t play, need to take a look at yourelves and stop complaining like 10 year olds.

I thought Camoranesi had a pretty good game (ridiculous ball to Chiellini to set up a chance at aroudn the 18) and this formation did look a lot better than the 4-3-3, especially when Quagliarella came on and held the ball up and waited for support. Iaquinta’s inability to hold the ball really hurt our team a lot and wasted a lot of energy for our players.

At least the 4-4-2 is being implemented. Tinkering with the right combinations is always very hard to watch but I think that going forward, we will start to come out of this rut that we were in for the past 3 years.

Lippi is never going to call Cassano so we should all just shut the fuck up about it cuz it’s just beating a horse that died 10 years ago.

Posted from  United States

quick positives – negatives

positive
Criscito performing really well after a nervy start
Camoranesi’s performance
Quagliarella coming on and causing danger
D’agostino coming on and giving us another creative outlet
Chiellini making dream tackle after dream tackle
new formation will leave Zambrotta less exposed

negative
Cannavaro losing his balance 3X a half
Marchionni’s very blah performance
Rossi dribbling into traffic and losing the ball too many times
referee was very inconsistent

Posted from  United States

For those of you who think Donadoni’s reign was more embarrasing than this I ask you for evidence.

Donadoni’s team had some errors within it, however, one thing donadoni did do was utilize the players that were in form. He didn’t hold grudges, he brought back Ambrosini and Panucci two quality players. During his time, players like Pazzini, Santon, Balotelli, Giovinco were far to young to be considered for any national team duty. Heck, Montolivo was just being introduced. Donadoni also had enough forsight not to include Gilardino in his squad and he recognized that Cassano had changed his attitude after a season with Samp to include him in the Euro 08 squad. Some things we often credit Donadoni with ruining was our tactics, formation, and the introduction of DiNatale, and some older guys to the national team.

Aside from not having the same clout as Lippi and living under the media comparisons and shadow of lippi, Donadoni also had something else working against him, Timing. When he took over, those players that were great, were in their declining years and the youngsters were not yet of age – remember Pazzini at Fiorentina?

When Lippi took over, many people thought, 1. the 4-3-3 would be finished (only today was that formation not used) 2. Younger players would begin to be integrated (only after a disasterous confed cup and media pressure are they) 3. Nesta and Totti would magically come out of retirement (they havent)4. the team would play with the same spunk and counter attack that led them to the 2006 world cup (they have actually resorted to playing the long ball, slow game).
- not to mention, Lippi went backwards, instead of bringing in some new talent, he went back and picked up used goods like gilardino.

The point is, although Donadoni gave us an embarrasing defeat against the neatherlands, he slowly made up for that mistake and salvaged a penalty loss to eventual champions spain – the defeat against the neatherlands was partly due to an odd goal that shouldn’t have counted, and an inform Cannavaro missing the tourny due to a last minute injury which threw off the team. Lippi on the other hand had HIS entire team, ready and pointing straight at the confed cup. Yet we were humiliated.
Lippi has only made changes after such a disturbing tournament. His changes have not taken into account those players that are currently in form. trust me, its darker time than the donadoni era.

I have also been a harsh critic at the stubborn fool Lippi, and I still am. BUT, to me this game was a small step forward. We played a more solid 442, and Criscito and Santon got some run. Quags and D’ago looked very threatening and should start against Bulgaria. As opposed to a number of you, I thought Canna and Chiellini were very solid. They had to cover for an aging rb and a new lb.

My Positives-
Canna, Chiellin, Buffon triangle, Quags and D’Ago, 442 and 3 points

Now to my complaints-
Rossi is better off the bench. iaquinta should NOT be anywhere near a starting spot as the main center forward.
Need Cassano and Pazzini, plus DDR back

Just off the top of my head.

Wednesday I would like to see a 442 with
Buffon
Santon,Canna,Giorgio,Criscito
Camo,DDR,D’Ago, Marchisio
Quags, ? [have no clue}

Agreed Vincent. If he keeps the lines similar to what they were by the end of the game it could be okay.

Santon – Canna – Chiellini – Criscito

for the mid, I really didn’t find use in Camro. The guy was invisible today. Their better off with

Marchisio – D’ago – Pirlo – DDR
- once they get home, I would try and put a high speed foggia in that right slot and have marchisio on the bench. That would be ideal. The only way Pirlo can come to the world cup, is if he is in a more advanced role.

DiNatale and Quags – this is what I would go with on wednesday. Iaquinta is not a CF. He is more for the RW.Once they get home, I would go with Rossi – Cassano – Pazzini up front. The thing with Rossi was that he was the only one in the first half able to carry the ball. Not to mention Iaquinta seemed to bee to far ahead and covered to receive anything anyway. If Cassano is thrown in then I would partner him up with Rossi, and have Pazzini go Primo Punto and create the Achellotti christmas tree – I think judging by Italian talent right now it will best exemplify our abundance of midfield talent, while being defensive enough.

If you do not address or at the very least acknowledge this problem, Alessio, your contradictory attitude will come off as no more constructive than the rants which you so earnestly belittle.
You know that taking apart other people’s posts is easy. Do better than that.

What is better?

I think the hysteria on this board is pretty amusing and misguided, but I have acknowledged several times (including earlier in my comments here) that Lippi’s new reign has been fairly miserable. As a Bari simpazzante, I would like nothing more than Cassano in Nazionale, and I think that the team should be build around D’Agostino asap, and that De Rossi needs to play more of a center-mid (or mediano) and less of a regista.

Posted from  United States

I would go for a lineup something like this.

Buffon
Santon Chiellini Cannavaro Grosso/Criscito
Marchisio D’Agostino De Rossi
Cassano
Iaquinta Rossi

Not necessarily pidgeon-hole Cassano as a trequartista, he doesn’t really play that usually, but Iaquinta and Rossi would play up top with Cassano given the freedom to roam wherever the hell he likes. He’ll drop deep naturally.

Posted from  United States

It is always challenging to repeat and maintain a high level of motivation after winning the world cup. Lippi falls into this trap also. He has allowed his ego to grow beyond a point that is healthy for the national team. He considers himself the ‘teflon don’ and will not stand for criticism or in the most recent case, ‘not enough focus on his team!!’

It seems almost that he is out to prove a point to the rest of us that this is HIS TEAM and he will do as he pleases.

Points:
1: Had Donadoni lead us during the Conf Cup and provided the same results he would have been crucified; instead Lippi gets a pass…
2: Lippi has always played with a big target man up front but we dont have one today, yet he continues to field Iaquinta who cannot hit the side of a barn nor stand on his feet. This shows that Lippi does not have adaptability in his arsenal.
3: Lippi relies overly on a pro Juve squad and ignores some other players because of his myopic vision. This would be fine if the juve players were indeed the best and only option but we all know that is not the case.
4: Not experimenting with new players during Conf Cup robbed us of the opportunity to test and insert new players in June. Now we must accelerate this in Sept/Oct when they are forced into unnatural circumstances as Marchisio was today.

Solution is not simple. Lippi’s political accumen will get him through even a mediocre qualifying round. However if he has hiccups against Bulgaria and possibly Ireland it could get interesting.

We absolutely let the best coach go to England in Capello. He has fire and passion beyond anyone else. For these reasons he will drag England all the way and deep (if not win it all) in South Africa. Since he is not available the only way the FIGC will do anything is if there is a logical substitute waiting. Everyone knows the two best coaching minds in Italy today are Prandelli and Spalleti, but only one is available (and perhaps not for long). Therefore the likelihood of removing Lippi this close to the WC and just at the beginning of a Serie A season is very remote.

I sincerely hope that the FIGC applies their backroom pressure (just like they do to promote juve, inter and milan players) to get fresh blood onto the team.

Changes needed:
Forward – Pazzini, Amauri (if avail.), Cassano (as a support forward). Quags, DiNatale, Gila all on the bench as super subs.
Mids – Aquilani and D’Agostino must play beside De Rossi. Still need a true ball buster (Palombo??, Montolivo??). Pirlo has to go!! Camo as a sub. Pepe to Siberia.
Defense – Motta, Gambarini have to be inserted and will compliment Chiellini, Criscito, Santon, Grosso. Zambro and Canna only come as backups and for clubhouse leadership.

Above all we must play ball to feet and control the tempo. We do not have the team speed to send high balls and hold it up for the infantry to come and support. This is where a diamond midfield with aquilani, derossi along with cassano and striker rossi can use their foot control to play the game much like spain do today. Leave D’agostino and Palumbo types to protect our defense.

Assessment:

I am afraid that Italy will have to rely on team unity/chemistry to drag it anywhere during the WC. We do not have a world class player who can take the team on his back and carry us. Only Buffon really falls in this category; unfortunately he cannot set up or score goals for us. We have an average team and will have an average WC unless a world class player (read Cassano) can come in and provide a level of excitement.

We have run through all the retreads. What would be the harm in trying Cassano/Pazzini? Oh yeah, there is this Lippi guy who thinks he is bigger than the team.

Hoping I am wrong…but knowing I am not!!

Posted from  Canada

The Christmas tree formation could work if you have Pazzini or Amauri up top with Cassano and Rossi behind. I still like the 442 or 4411 with Cassano behind either Pazzini or Amauri

But we won’t be seeing that Wednesday now will we

Other scores

france 1 – romania 1
brazil 3 – Argentina 1 ->

For all the Lippi hating this blog gets, it doesn’t light a candle to the Maradona bashing going on on Argentina’s blog right now!

What ruins any chances is the need to assemble a perfect squad immediately. Lippi won a WC with aging players that gave their last breath, period, new era. Lets be real here, Italy hasn’t stunned anyone by their attractive game but due to simple results. An extreme defensive italy under lippi turned into a more offensive squad with donadoni and he was crucified because of the euro loss. Ridiculious, i thought donadoni was on he right path and it was a matter of time until his team gained understandmnt and pace, one cannot expect immediate results with a generational change. So now lippi is one thin ice again…there should be a poll to discuss targets, a solid project or victory at all costs even though if its getting by a 90 minute yawning defensive mode….

Players that should be taking over the reigns, De Rossi, Montolivo, Amauri…forget luca toni! and bring in Aquilani

main problem is that everything goes through Pirlo and when he plays like shit, we play like shit. He hasn’t looked good in a while, need to build midfield around D’agostino and De Rossi.

Posted from  United States

Guys, now i hear that Trap is very confident of Bulgaria defeating us which might as well happen..i definately see a draw on cards , and all will boil down to the last match at ireland which would make us go to playoffs..Bulgaria is very speedy, they carved open Montenegro, they have dangerous speedy wingers in Petrovs, they have Berbetev and they have a great sub in Bojinov who can score any moment with his speed against Zambro and Canna..the good news though is that De Rossi will be back on Wednesday, he will be fresh and how vital that will be for our rudderless midfield??Pirlo cant wont perform in his previous level without a body guard sheilding him..aka Gattusso who is also on a clear wane…Quagliarella could be the key as i mentioned before the match..Iam hoping that we can get through Bulgaria but i have bad omens..
the team considering the tactical approach against Bulgaria should be

Buffon
santon canna chiellini Grosso/Criscito

Pirlo

Camoronesi De Rossi DÁgostino

Rossi Iaquinta

Rossi had a very ordinary game yesterday and he must play well if we r to score early against Bulgaria..I will persist with Iaquinta because it will be Turnin and also he will be very effective against Bulgarian defenders who are a bit poor on zonal marking…Quagliarella msut be introduced from 55th minute or so..Also, the midfield must be the above one..Zambrotta was stale, doing nothing yesterday, the 16 year old Georgian boy schooled him , Zambrotta was just doing the thrown ins or passing the ball back to Buffon….
if we lose in turin which is very much possible, and if we lose in Ireland, then on goal difference Bulgaria would qualify for the second place( play offs)..In a way, if we lose against Bulgaria, one thing is definate..lippi will be sacked

Posted from  Spain

Well, the thing is, Lippi should be sacked just by making stupid remarks about homosexual players in the squad. However, with the highly retarded Berlusconi as the leader fot this downspiral for country, there is no rules or regelations anymore. As for Lippis knowledge about soccer, I´d have to say hes totally the wrong person for the nationals. Hes living in an old fantasy, without any thoughts forward. Get rid of, first of all, Toni. Hes about the worst player I have ever seen. We need new blood, Giovinco, Rossi, Balotelli and so on. We need speed. Not this crap. Grosso,Toni,Camoranesi. Come on.

Posted from  Sweden