Passion and exhaustion

I’m wondering the same thing. It is clear, not just a coach’s optimism, that Lippi could not care less about winning these friendlies. A team has no chance of gaining any rhythm when substitutes are brought on so liberally. Also, if he were looking for roiling results why would he have scheduled two friendlies in 3 days against WC teams? Frankly, I have no idea what he is doing, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’s told the players to take it easy during these two matches rather than risk getting hurt. You’re right, that does sound disrespectful to the two plucky sides we’ve faced, but I think we’ve seen more of a Lippi experiment than an Azzurri XI over the past few days.

I do wish that we had another friendly later on to get a better look, but I trust that Lippi knows what he’s doing (though I’ll never forgive him for his treatment of Robo while at Inter).

Posted from  United Kingdom

yeah.i am so sad to watch the match yesterday night.they don seem to have the fire.FIRE.i don feel that they are fighting to WIN!maybe is is just a friendly match.but i do hope they perform well enough during WORLD CUP MATCHES.i desperately want Italy to win the Worldcup this year!FORZA AZZURRI!

Posted from  Australia

the all point of playing friendlies is to tune up.. to make players run for 90 min.. you can go 2 ways choose a second league swiss team or Swiss national win 8-0 or struggle for a draw ..let’s take a look to the opponents of England,Germany and Brasil please ! i think there is a very good stategy behind the path to WC i have seen live both games and eventhough may be unnerving to watch it is clear that the plan is to be ready at the top in 2 weeks from now and NOT NOW ! even the first game could end up being @ 70% that’s what happens if you plan to go all the way..!i remember very well what press and fans were saying in 1982 ..Paolo Rossi go home ! where are so and so …?? well we all know who is a legend now ..so let’s have some faith and wait the moment of truth .

Posted from  United States

Yeah, it would have been real nice if Italy had lined up canon fodder at home to trash to boost morale, but instead went for two strong teams that actualy made it to the world cup and learned many things.

Forza Azzurri.

Posted from  United States

1) Friendlies are ok. I agree with Lippi, they are not to impress, but to make last decisions and to warm-up.

2) I agreed to play the friendlies abroad. Italian fans would have criticized the team ‘coz of the ‘tsunami’ investing Serie A. Abroad, instead, you can always count on the support of the emigrants!

3) Personally, if we have to face Brazil…I suggest to do it asap (last 16): I’m sure we will rip’em off!
If we’ll face’em in the final, instead, I doubt to win.

cm’on Azzurri!

Posted from  United Kingdom

It’s interesting you mention that Angio. Enzo Bearzot suggested to Lippi in a discussion in the Gazzetta in April that it would be easier to take down brazil in the second round than in the final as Bearzot believes Brazil would be in full song and tactically much harder to beat!! I would still like to see them play Brazil in the final and avenge losing to PENALTY KICKS. I agree .Brazil should have 4.5 cups and Italy 3.5!!! PENALTY KICKS are b.s. Fifa should learn from the NBA and Nhl!!

Posted from  Canada

Landing second place in Group E intentionaly in order to take out Brazil early? Insane but brilliant.

Posted from  United States

Can any of you conceive the option that brasil could not win their group ? croatia is maybe the biggest sleeper around and beating Aussies and Japs is not as easy as it looks believe me brasilians have a lot of headaches coming it will be fun to watch ..they didn’t even consider having some serious tests before the Cup just another sign of “overconfidence” wihtout using less flattering words i do think we will meet brasil in 2nd round ..let’s see..

Posted from  United States

You make a good point. Brazil’s defense is old and Croatia doesn’t get the credit that they deserve. That said, I do think that Brazil will win their group.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I find it hard to imagine Brazil not winning their group, however, there chances of going all the way do seem slimer than is generally concieved. The team is too overconfident, judging by their decision not to put themselves to a real test before the world cup, and by their coach’s decision to reveal his tactics without reservation. Other than a match against New Zealand next week and games against amateur teams, their attack line has yet to be tested. There is no doubt they have the best attacking line, but fielding them against an amateur defense that has been instructed to be careful not to harm any of the Brazilians is hardly an indication of there absolute superiority. Their defence is not only old, its just plain and simply, weak. Their two veteran full backs prefer to advance than stay behind, a weakness that will surely be taken advantage of.

There is no doubt that they will be strong contender, but the Azzurri surely has the potential to take them out.

Posted from  Canada

Woow,, woow,, be very2 careful when u post a comment, guys.. R u Realy sure italy can take Brazil down??? well, i think it’s already hard enough 4 italy 2 make a single goal when they meet brazil,, with all d fantastic player brazil have, Brazil can make 2 great teams,, note this: 2 GREAT TEAMS, not just a so2 team.. u guys r juz so lucky coz fifa only allow one team 4 each country,, So,, italy take Brazil down? Well i just can say dream on baby,, dream on,,, ;p

Posted from  Indonesia

u idiot chernz italy can beat any country when they’re at top form. Brazil is overrated and Italy in underrated. Italy is gonna win the cup this year, I can feel it.

Posted from  Canada

Viva Italia!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted from  Canada

Hey chernz, this Two TEAM your talking about is what Pele said. Pele also said that Totti is the best player in the world in his position and the Italy is the only team that can pose a challenge to Brazil. Remember back in March, the same day Italy crushed Germany 4-1 Brazil took a mere 1-0 against Russia. On a good day the Italian attack line can really take out the Brazilians, who have nothing to brag about their defence. Their offence is the best, but our world class defenders with the likes of Nesta and Cannavaro can potentially hold them back.

Playing like they did in the friendlies this week is no indication of their ability to beat Brazil. But they are just friendlies, and they’re being played to make tactical decisions and get players back into form.

Posted from  Canada

Hey everybody,
Do you know that you can post your pridictions of who you think is going to win the world cup at http://www.itoldyouso.com
Its free….so if you think Italy is going to win(I HOPE) ..go ahead and post it!! You can prove your friends wrong.

Posted from  Lebanon

Ragazzi, ragazzi… I, for one, am relieved to see Italy playing less than stellar. This means that we will have our typical slow start… which should put us at 100% just in time for the Round of 16.

Remember your history!

FORZA ITALIA!!! - And IF we do face Brasil, may we take our revenge from 1994 and send them home early!!!

Posted from  United States

Italy counts a minimum of 9 outstanding, world-class players: Buffon, Cannavaro, Nesta, Pirlo, Zambr., Camon., Totti, Del Piero, Gilardino,… If the coaching is right (less sophistication, more enthusiasm), it will go far.

Posted from  France

All you guys are the best… but ENOUGH about Brazil. If Ronaldinho goes down with an injury (not that I hope it happens) or something like that…they really aren’t that much ahead of the group. No more Brazil chit-chat!

Posted from  United States

noo we must talk about brazil, i hope italy nmeet them in second round … and pumops them back home .. especially coz of players li adriano (geez inter are so dumb, adriano is pathetic and a moron) any way if italy do well its coz of luca toni and he will be top goal scorer, even in the swis match his couple touches brought excitment to the team!!

Posted from  Australia

Ok… My guess is that Lippi is not really worried about impressing in the tests leading up to the Cup. He even admitted that he did’t want to peak until the middle of the tournament. My cause for concern is the attitude they have been displaying on the field. De Rossi kicking people, Totti getting a Yellow Card, Del Piero tripping people after being outrun, not to mention we have Materazzi on the bench waiting to unleash mayhem… where is the class!!!! They just look like a bunch of primadonnas that have enjoyed and been spoiled by uncontested success in the engineered Serie A championship (who knows how many defenders were told to let Del Piero by on his way to getting the precious game winning goal.)

They can’t take not being the best, so what do they do… take it out on the other team?!?!? Last time I checked, 5 year olds weren’t allowed on the national team!!! Now, unfortunately, they are not prepared.

I have never been more eager to be proven wrong.

Posted from  United States

Mi amici:

Enzo Bearzot (remember him?) offered Lippi advice to man the full team, but play the opposition lightly. He even suggested LOSING one of the matches!!!

In a country that is so superstitious when it comes to the World Cup, omens mean a lot. Italy looked *horrid* in friendlies prior to the 1982 WC and look what happened that beautiful summer in Spain!

The REAL Italia will take the field versus Ghana and show them no respect…only a 3-0 victory will suffice.

[Speaking of Italian superstitions: My father--right off the boat--and I meet at his place and drink espresso before EACH Italia match--friendly, WC, Euro, a qualifier, whatever! Then, we unfurl the Italian flag prior to kickoff and hang it in his living room for good luck!]

Posted from  United States

Mido on this message board is my new best friend, and a genious. Well presented arguement, my friend. I couldn’t agree more. Brazil is cocky, arrogant, and their Defence is OLD.

Watch the Croats pull an upset against Brazil and maybe Japan as well. Zico (Japan’s coach) is out to prove something against his native land!!!

Posted from  United States

Paolo -
Are you near NYC? I am in northern NJ and am looking for a spot to watch the matches… was thinking about the ESPN Zone in Times Square.
-Vin

Posted from  United States

italy is the best team.
and they keep low key,like brazil did in 2002 world cup.
viva great italy!!!!

Posted from  China