Comments on: The Lippi Straightjacket

By: hobbes

hobbes — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:31:39 +0000

Does anyone think that inzaghi will get a chance at some stage in this tournament?

By: matthew

matthew — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 04:43:39 +0000

Gila should be home watching the WC on the tube..>Cassano has much more ability and class. Obviously a political selection. Pirlo and Gattuso should also be at home given their recent invisibility.

By: Lang

Lang — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:24:03 +0000

I agree, Hobbes. Akbar is way out of his element. England have a fine side, their biggest strength being the combination (if they finally combine!) of Lampard and Gerrard in the center of the park. But their defense is porous to say the least. Big Sol Campbell is the skeleton of a former self that was never too impressive to begin with.

The biggest sham might be the claim that Nesta is in some way only the equal of Carragher, a man who has been bounced from his position at the World Cup by the likes of Rio Ferdinand. That claim is itself a fine argument against free speech.

Terry’s form dropped this year at Chelsea while Cannavaro’s soared at Juve. Gary Neville on the outside right of the defense is undeniably the worst player on either side, I might argue, in any position. Wayne Bridge’s performance, if that is what you want to call it, against Argentina speaks for itself.

Above all, it’s not just the players that make a defense either, England needs to learn. Retaining possession of the ball is, actually, quite a good method of defense. Boot and run, on the other hand, will always leave the defense exposed. That said, I like England, expect them to make their mark on this year’s tournament, but can’t sit quietly while someone argues that their defense is as good as the Azzuri’s.

By: Hobbes

Hobbes — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:29:43 +0000

Ummm, Akbar you do realise ashley Cole is rubbish defending (not too hot going forward either) and just coming back from injury, and i’m sorry but Italy have NOTHING to fear about Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell, both the most over-rated defenders in world football by a LONG LONG way!

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 01:52:44 +0000

Akbar, don’t get ahead of yourself. Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, Beckham, Lennon and Wright-Phillips haven’t won any trophies with the exception of Gerrard’s and Beckhams (from the 90’s) Champion’s League. Pirlo and De Rossi have both won a UEFA U-21 title.

Zambrotta > Cole
Cannavaro = Terry
Nesta = Carragher (who isn’t going to start since Ferdinand will)
Ferdinand, Campbell = trash
King, Bridge = not on team

By: Akbar

Akbar — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 20:12:22 +0000

England’s midfield is matched by very few teams. De Rossi Gattuso and Pirlo are certainly good, but they have yet to reach the heights of Lampard, Gerrard, Joe Cole, Beckham, and the promising potential of Wright-Phillips and Lennon.

As for their defenders, you have Zambrotta but they have Ashley Cole, You have Cannavaro but they have Terry. You have Nesta, they’ve got Carragher. And don’t forget Ferdinand, Campbell, Ledley King, Wayne Bridge and the rest.

In fact, all England lack is team chemistry and attacking options.

By: Devansh

Devansh — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 19:08:22 +0000

Who is italY`s captain?
Totti or Canavaro

By: Devansh

Devansh — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 19:06:26 +0000

for sure del piero will play on the left attacking side.

then toni would play up front

totti will be supporting these two strikers and should deliver through balls to del piero (on the left wing)

Gilardino will be a backup for toni`s injury or bad form

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 19:07:36 +0000

For what its worth, I’m not a Gila apologist, but he has scored consistently for the Azzurri. Plus, I think a lot of players lose and gain form quickly based on confidence (especially strikers), and I think Lippi showing confidence in Gila will only help him. Also, I think Pippo’s best role is to come off the bench and poach.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 17:09:06 +0000

Gila DID score though and he was victimized by some pretty bad offsides calls, not too mention Senderos was crunching him everytime the ball was near him. He does score every other game for the national side.

As for the English being better defenders? Please, there is only two defensive players on England I would even contemplate taking, Terry and Carragher, the rest are rubbish. Plus they have no midfielder with the qualities of a Gattuso, De Rossi or Pirlo. They always think to push forward first and then defend later, it’s just their nature. But of course Lampard would say that they are better.

And yes, Materazzi is hopeless. Always has been, always will be.