Marco, can you pick my lotto numbers for me, please??

Now all that being taken into account, let’s also look at today’s game.
1. If Italy win it has to be decisive. They have to go in there and beat Brazil. The last thing I think anyone wants is that they fluke a 2-0 game, and look mediocre in the process that would simply give us a lot to worry about.
2. If they lose to Brazil, it has to be a big victory, I think a 3-0 drubbing with Brazil controlling the ball for the majority of the game would shake things up a bit. That being said, I was watching Rai this morning, and they showed some clips from the feb match between the two it was interesting. Brazil dismantled them there yet Lippi remained with the same squad.

I fear that whatever happens today we will continue to not see cassano, or any significant change to this team. He will continue down this path of certain doom. I for one never, ever want to see the Azzurri lose. I have been there through all the bullshit, from all the lows to the ultimate high. I stuck through the donadoni era, and watched a disgusting display at the European Championship. I have pained my way through this world cup qualifying campaign all the way to this point in the confederation cup. I hope they win today. But I won’t lie there is a big part of me that really hopes we get blown out of the water today. The pain that we suffer in the short term may well be worth it in the long term. Just remember, this is our world cup in South Africa, it is ours to lose, and ours to win. I believe, contrary to lippi’s remarks, with the technical aspect of our game, and the right integration of youth and experience into this team we can seriously win a second consecutive world cup. No other team, and trust me on this, can clean our shoes when to comes to the current state of all national teams, yet Lippi has done everything possible to try and moth ball this whole idea up. The 2014 world cup, will be held in Brazil, and that will be a true test of our metal. So we have a golden opportunity here, will he take it or not remains to be seen. I just hope following this game and this dreadful tournament we make the serious changes we need, smarten up, clinch this group and win the world cup.

Sigh, wonder what could have been with Cassano and Foggia.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun21j.html

the world cup is now next year, only a year away. This confederation cup tournament should have been the perfect time to get some new players and new ideas into the team and give them some good experience against big squads before next year, but lippi has totally wasted that opportunity and even now, three games in to this tournament and a totally embarrassing loss against egypt, he still insists on using this failing formation of 4-3-3 and playing guys like toni who have done nothing for the squad in a very long time.

All this should be considered proof that mr lippi has very little interest in developing this squad and quite frankly his stubborness is making a mockery of our once proud footballing nation. To consistently not call up cassano even though he’s been playing wonderfully and we desperately need someone like him to bring some movement to our game, should set the alarm bells ringing.

I’ve lost faith in the azzurri and im not sure i’ll even bother watching the brazil game. If you want to feel proud of our football, then watch the under 21 team. at least those lads are playing with passion and pace!

It will be bitter, it will be painful, all my limey friends will see the blood in the water and pounce, yet this will be a huge bonus for us in the run to our second consecutive world cup. We have to get a ’shitkicking’ tomorrow. We need to be out run, out scored and thrown to the wolves. This is what it’s about. Lippi has to start changing this team or shpping out. Nevermind anyone else, how he left Cassano of all people at home is beyond me. How he didn’t use this as an opportunity to test Cassano out is unbelievable. This would be the same as leaving Baggio at home for Euro 96, oh wait, Sacchi did that. You see, we continue to repeat history with this arrogant coaching.

It’s time for Marco Tardelli or Spalletti to brush up and take over from Lippi, he is done like turkey, and tomorrow will show exactly where we stand against some of the worlds best.

Here’s what could happen:
1. If we beat them, Toni, Gila, Camro, Zambro, Canna, et al are going to the world cup and we’ll either not qualify or be out quickly in the first round.

2. If we lose: Lippi will use the scape goat of this not being a real tournament. As we get back a couple of new faces will be added and Di Natale will turn up again, we will get smoked at the world cup

3. We lose: Lippi will get a change of heart and call up Cassano, and change approx 80% of the team

either way Im expecting the first two to occur. Bets anyone?

After Monday, when I’m freed from high school, expect posts to come much easier. Sorry again.