More on ‘The 23′

You know, I think Cassano has a chance of getting to go to the World Cup. This time Italy wants to win the cup and they need not only people that are experienced and play well, but also those that can create goal situations out of nothing, just like Cassano. He might be even thicker than Totti, but he can play. Lippi knows this. So we’ll see.

Posted from  United States

As for Materazzi, if he ever comes on the field in the world cup, Italy will suffer for it.

Posted from  United States

I would like to see Cassano go personally, but it will be hard to leave off any of Toni, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Del Piero or Totti. Maybe if Totti doesn’t gain fitness, then there would be a spot. I just wish that he had gotten more game action at Real Madrid. And I hope the rumors are true that he’s heading back to Italy.

Thinking more about Toldo and Abbiatti, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring Curci or Agliardi from Roma or Palermo, just for the experience, sort of like Brazil did with Ronaldo in 1994. If Italy is up big or guaranteed to qualify top of the group (thus avoiding Brazil in round 2) let one of the youngsters get a game or some playing time to help for 2010 and beyond. Besides, when was the last time a third GK actually played a role in deciding the WC?

Posted from  United States

-If Totti will be able to just stand on his feet he’ll be for sure in the 23 (sponsors docet)
-Cassano 99.9% will not be in the WC (thanks god), by the way now even Real Madrid realized what kind of fat lazy cow they bought, he’s still up 5 kg on his normal weight(he was +11kg when he leaves Roma)!! And By the way other italian players don’t like Cassano at all (many of them hate him) so it’s better leave him where he is
-Inzaghi in my opinion should be one of the 23, if he keeps this good shape Lippi will have to bring him
-Materazzi… I hate him, by the way today Galeone reveal that the “bastard player” of Inter Milan he was reffering last sunday is actually Materazzi (what a shock!!).
Even though all he did and does on the pitch he’ll be in the 23

Cassano has proven himself as a tournament player. He is the kind of player who aspires to be a hero and thrives upon pressure. He also possesses the imagination to catch defenders off guard. Other players with similar qualities on the Italian roseter are Totti (whose attendance is doubtful through injuries) and Del Piero (who, despite his good form, is showing his age). Italy needs Cassano.

Posted from  Finland

We all know how much Real Madrid likes fat lazy cows based on their love for Ronaldo (lets hope he doesn’t come back to Inter).

I think De Rossi and Pirlo bring creativity, although Pirlo from a much deeper position.

We all know how fragile the Italian psyche can be at these tournaments so maybe bringing along Cassano is not the best idea if so many of the other players dislike him. I realize he played well at Euro 2004, but the rest of the team was crap except for Zambrotta. Maybe Cassano’s petulance was a cause of the bad attitude? Is it worth the risk? He’s still young so there will be more opportunities.

Posted from  United States

Lie Luo, I don’t think we need him at all, I mean he has those great quality you said, BUT he’s in tremendous bad shape even though is not injuried, he’s not playing in Real Madrid (due to the previous point)and his attitude is unbeareble: again many of the “for-sure-in-the-23″ players really hate him (and even most of italian press and pepole do the same)

Unless there are some “sponsors reasons”, I’m sure he will not be called to represent Italy in WC and I bet our press will not say anything about that, we’ll play with what we have and if we’ll not win the WC, which is quite probable anyway with or without him, I doubt somebody could blame Lippi in order to have not called Cassano

Will Del piero make the team? If so, what number will he have? cheers Sticky

Posted from  United States

I don’t like Del Piero. He is playing better recently but still, once he gets to go to the world cup he will not do much good for Italy. I would take Cassano anyday. Actually any other player fighting for the squad. The worst thing I can see happen is Del Piero and Inzaghi both being called up. That’s a waste of 2 spaces in the national team. Either one of the other would be better, and none would be even better. If Del Piero gets in the team he will not have the number 10. Probably 7

Posted from  United States

What’s not to like about Pippo or Del Piero? They both score goals, Del Piero is the most creative Italian player other than Totti and they both are in fine form. Lippi could do a lot worse than either of them. And Cassano is certainly no upgrade to either.

Posted from  United States

If perrotta makes it, it’ll probably be at the cost of diana or barone. How many of u actually see pirlo, gatusso, barone, de rossi, camoranesi, perrotta and diana ALL make it? I don’t. Unless we take only 5 forwards (including totti, who some consider a medio)

Posted from  India

i think this will be the 6 attackers if they continue their current form :

1. Totti ( a must ! )

2.Delpiero ( already proven
against Germany )

3.Toni (no doubt )

4.Gilardino ( deemed to be Italy’s present and future )

5. Inzaghi ( doing better than almost any other Italian and currently the best goal poacher )

6. Vieri ( whether he is good or not , Lippi loves him , can’t just help it )

Apart from those mentioned above , there r still room for Tavano , Iquainta and Lucratelli ie. only if one of those 6 doesn’t regain their form or recover from injury .

Posted from  Thailand

I would rather see Inzaghi on the Italy team then cassano,Iaquinta,Lucarelli just because Inzaghi has more experience and plus he tries way harder then any other striker on the team. If your down a goal you can count on Super Pippo to get it!

Posted from  Canada

Really,
What a pathetic view to see Materazzi displaying such appalling provocation during the world cup finals, this guys deserves no respect from the football community whatsoever.
Mind you, he is an expert at dirty tricks, and lifts the legs higher than a french cancan girl..
He brought shame on the Squadra Azzura, and history will not welcome him as a leader, but as a wily arrogant brat who has not had enough (or too much?) spanking when he was younger..
In the rugby world I know well, he would have been taken care of in a much more efficient way..
I feel sorry for the Italians who played very well.
Shame on you TTC
Cheers

Biloud

Posted from  France

Italy and Materazzi should forever hang their head in shame for what happened at the world cup ..
That italians are cheats adn racist is a well known and documented fact…
Zizou will always remain a legend…
This Italian team are undeservign of the cup…
They were outplayed by france …and would have lost but for their abuse of the greatest player of our generation…
Shame on Italy …
Materazzi — how does this guy show his face to his children…
He is a pathetic blot on all humanity….

Posted from  United States