So I Married an Axe Murderer

July 15th, 2008 | by: Julian |

(Yay for crappy puns based off of crappy movies)

$Marcello Lippi. Thank God he\'s back$
Yeah, I’m as pumped to see him back at the helm as you are. A competent Italian national team coach? Feels like 2006 all over again

When Lippi finally gets in gear and picks his squad for the next game (which I think is a late August friendly), we’re going to see exactly what kind of national team we’re going to have. The safe bet is on a mixture of new young guys and some older vets, but some people have to be dropped. So who’s gonna get the axe?

The way I see it, there’s a couple of players that just have to go. I’ve spent two blog entries so far detailing which players should be added to the team, but I think it’s important to also talk about which players should get cut from the team. Cause let’s face it- we didn’t reach our potential at Euro, and between age and general crappiness, there’s a few guys who can go.

First and foremost, Materazzi needs to be kicked off right now. He was great in WC 06 (…Debatably. I mean he had a red card but he also got Zidane sent off.) But guess what? It’s not 2006 anymore. When Alex Del Piero, at the ripe age of 33, can just school you over and over again during league play, it’s time to go. Ambrosini? I’ve never seen the need for him to begin with. He’s not a great attacker (a la Pirlo) and he’s not that good at being a defensive midfielder (like DDR is). And while we’re on the subject of Milan middies, Gattuso’s age is finally catching up. Again, he was great in the past but at 30 I don’t think his body can keep up with his ambitions. Finally, I think Luca Toni should be a sub at most. Again, he was great in the past and even this year- remember when he couldn’t stop scoring at Bayern? That stretch of scoring lasted from, oh August 07 until the day before the Euros. But when you choke so horribly when your team is relying on you so much, it’s time to hang up your boots.

Those are the starters under Donadoni that I think need to be cut. Admittedly, some of those should’ve never been starters to begin with (How the hell did Ambro start over DDR against the Netherlands? It’s a mystery to which we might never have an answer, like why Hannah Montana is so popular.) There’s others that probably have to go too- Panucci (age), Di Natale (a mixture of age and me never being able to forgive him for his penalty against Spain. My grandma could’ve positioned it better), and Del P (age). A common trend here seems to be age, and as I’ve covered in the past and will keep covering, it shouldn’t be a problem to replace these guys. Not with Osvaldo, Montolivo, and Dessena waiting in the wings.

Tags: Azzurrini, Euro 2008 No shows, Group E, Italy, Marcello Lippi, World Cup 2006

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Comments

By fg | July 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am

I wonder what he will do with cassano

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | July 15th, 2008 at 11:39 am

cassano is finish, did not impress me one bit.

Posted from United States

By JP | July 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

For better or worse, it is not the Italian way to thrust youngsters onto the national scene. This is not a Holland side or a Spanish side, this is Italy. For whatever reason, we like to keep our young talents waiting and waiting until they are 25-26 and then finally give them a chance to play. One factor for this is that Italy also likes to keep it’s legends around for as long as possible.

The main reason (for me at least) why certain players need to go is not primarily age, because age has no bearing on the situation if the player can still perform well. For me, the reason some players have to go is because their presence will only keep the next generation riding the bench or off the squad list entirely.

Del Piero was never influencial for the Azzurri, but he was always present and useful. And even though he is proving to be ever-green like Maldini or Inzaghi, I think it would be best if ADP didn’t get a call up so that the likes of Giovinco, G. Rossi and others can play. Same with defense and midfield. Materazzi is 100% finished and I’d like to see some of the players from Toulon like Coda slot in at the back. In midfield, there is Nocerino and De Rossi to do the hard work and Aquilani, Montolivo, Donadel, Abate etc for the creative parts of the midfield. But that means players like Gattuso and Camoranesi might also have to be cut.

By KJ | July 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Cassano is creative on the pitch…Keep him on

By Joey | July 15th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

“One factor for this is that Italy also likes to keep it’s legends around for as long as possible.”

Except for Baggio, who was easily the greatest Italian legend (sorry Maldini fans) since the 82 World Cup.

Posted from United States

By Vincent | July 15th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

I agree with most of what has been written. Some of the older players should step aside to let the younger players come thru and build for the WC in 2010. Cassano will be interesting because I am not sure if Lippi is too fond of him. I would like to see Nesta come out of retirement, and even though I am Romanisti, I think Totti should concentrate on La Magica.

By gdark | July 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

What’s crappy about Axe Murderer, dude?

By mike de robbio | July 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

I agree with your list of those who should go Julian. Perhaps Zambrotta is nearing his end as well. Toni’s striking days definetely should be over. I reckon Cassano is still worthy though, his cheeky flicks and potential assists were great.

Posted from Australia

By Antonio | July 15th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

Oliver,

Cassano didn’t impress you?

He was the main focus on the field at all times. Every time he touched the ball, something good happened. His passes are second to none, and the only way to take the ball from him is to foul him.

He is one of the most, if not the most, naturally gifted players in the world.

Posted from United States

By 9 Champion league titles | July 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am

Aquafresca, montoolivo, cigarini porhetta…Giochi Preziooooziiii lol! nice names.

Posted from Spain

By Stasio | July 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

iF Totti will come back, we must use him and start him..no question in my eyes, he is would still be the best player on the national team..can someone name me better? I dont think so– Totti,Montolivo,Aqui,DDR,Pirlo should be the base of midfielders for next world cup.

By Bobo | July 16th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

Antonio – you’ve hit the nail on the head. Cassano on a bad day can still do more for you than Di Natale on a good day. He doesn’t have a champion’s spirit, so he’ll be underrated wherever he goes, but on talent alone he could have become the very best player in the world, Messi be damned.

Posted from United States

By Nina | July 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

I’m sure he’ll keep some of them, but not the defenders I hope. They are all finished with the exception of Chiellini.

By Stasio | July 16th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Add Giovinco also to that list, he looks like he could be a great, cant wait to watch him at Juve

By Porchetta | July 17th, 2008 at 9:25 am

guys, honestly, i can see the folling players surviving from the present in the 2010 world cup squad to go to south africa..

Chiellini–he will only get better and rock solid..the future central rock
Barzagli–many may not like him, i mean he has definately disappointed for all the hype, but he will be primed up and will atleast be in the 23 squad..

Zambrotta–he will be 32, well..even if not a guarantee in the starting 11, he will be there..he provides options..

Pirlo–he will be 31 and at his prime and will be very very motivated to go out with a bang as well knowing that it would be his last waltz to the glory with his beloved Azzurri..this season, he disapoointed a bit only because he was jaded and injury ridden..unbeliavable that he was made to play even when half fit and tired for Milan and also for Euro qualifiers by Donadoni..Now that flamini, Ronaldinho and the likes will take out the work load, Pirlo will be fit mentally and physically for a super act in 2010..

Aquilani–naturally he will be there..

DDR–i wont be surprised if he would be made the captain of the squad!!!

Camoronesi–very tough to say, but he will be there in the 23 squad..Lippi is his mentor and Lippi knows how to get the best out of him by switching him in midfield..cant guarantee a place in the first 11 but will be there in the squad..

Toni–will be there in the squad , again by a marginal decision..let us say, he will be unleashed with fresh legs as a super sub whenever required in the 68th minute onwards??

Cassano–believe me, he will get better now that he made a start with Doria and he was in the Nazionale..he will be 27 and the lynchpin of the attack..

Quagliarella–again, a conondrum for me, he might be there in the squad, he is young, he has unbelievable long rangers, but his presence and inclusion on the squad would depend on great performances in serie A and in the opportunities he ould get in qualifiers,,

so that means, at the most, 9 players from the present squad will be there…also, it is very very complex to state the chances of Grosso..he will be 32 and as for the trend, the full backs must be very fit as they have a lot of running to do..

Posted from Spain

By Bashar | July 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I have to say that if the team was built around Toni at the Euros they would have played the same formation at Bayern… He thrives with a guy next to him. Pazzini, Mutu, Ribery, Poldi, Klose.. You just stick whoever in but he can’t bear the burden of all the scoring on his own unfortunately.

Posted from United States

By Sasha | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am

I was just wondering – why didn’t Gilardino play in the Eurocup?

Posted from United States

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