This Just In: Lippi Confirms the End of Toni on the Azzurri
….kinda:
“If someone does not return to their top condition, then they will not be part of this group. However, the vast majority will be there.”
Lippi stated the above in an interview dealing with the upcoming world cup. He once again confirmed that he won’t get rid of the old guys (an issue I’m so tired of talking about that I’m just pretending he didn’t say it). But that little quote above is hope for those of us wishing for a younger, more dynamic squad.
It’s really no secret that Toni has had quite the fall. A few years ago he was one of the deadliest strikers in Europe. Phenomenal seasons with Fior and Bayern showed a striker who could seemingly score with either foot and his head. Then the Euros came along and it looked like a different guy. He was never quick- he’s no Torres or Pato- but he always seems like a more skillful version of Peter Crouch. Tall, lanky and slow, but he used to be able to score.
Recently though, he’s definitely been way off of top form. I mean, just look at the stats:
05-06 with Fior: 31 goals
06-07 with Fior: 16 goals (he was injured for long stretches of the season)
07-08 with Bayern: 39 goals and 10 assists in 46 matches
08-09 with Bayern: 14 goals in 25 games
Now,14 goals in 25 is not too shabby. But the problem here is that the numbers tells part of the story, but not the whole thing. He definitely isn’t in top form anymore- he’s a few years past it, which the numbers confirm- but he’s also aging quite poorly. His lack of speed is becoming more and more evident as the games go on, and it’s painful at times to watch him on the Azzurri.
So if Lippi stands by what he said, this should mark the end of Toni unless he can pull things around. But given his age and skill set, I for one hope that Rossi can take over his starting spot.
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
|
Comments


There is no hint or name mentioned in that article. In fact, what that article does state is that it is likely gila and toni will be included in the roster at this weekends announcement, and Cassano, Agostini will be left at home. In all likelyhood we are going to get blown apart in the group stage of the world cup. Lippi will go down (hopefully) and Tardelli or Anchellotti (unlikely) will take over. And at the end of the day we would have lost the opportunity to see a new generation of Azzurri play because the old men had to continue their lackluster ways. Being a champion means knowing when enough is enough and not over extending your visit.




I said this summer that I thought Toni was given his last chance in the Nazionale. Lippi is a brilliant coach and he sees it.
Posted from
United States




What about Canna……………?
He’s done………….
Time to replace him with NESTA !




It is not only Toni who is in poor condition due to age. There are about 6-7 players from the old guard who are not in top condition as well. I am quite amazed when I read comments from a well known tactician about sticking with old guard for World Cup. I honestly think that Lippi is not fit to coach a national team like Italy. Today’s game has two major factors speed and power plus the most important of all talent and skills. Now, how could a team aging 30+ can produce speed and power to challenge other teams?




I hope Toni is done at the Nazionale level. He should be, he pretty much sucks now. But Lippi is a stubborn @sswipe
Only thing is if Amauri comes in, it really could be Toni who is out




Toni is probably headed to West Ham….maybe Zola will shape him up…




Amauri is not needed on the Azzurri.
Pazzini and Cassano should be put in place of Toni and Gilardino. Don’t forget that DiNatale is likely to be back. Quags and Iaquinta should remain. But there are 6-7 players who should be removed perminantly.




New squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Olympique Lyon), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D’Agostino (Udinese), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal)
No Cassano, but what did you expect? I am very happy to see Bocchetti in there and especially no Toni.




Does Lippi has anything personal against Cassano? Someone should teach Lippi about one of the famous quotes in business:”it is not personal it is business” !! This Lippi man really amazes me with his hard stuborn stupid ego sometimes. ciao Italia … I love you but I hate Lippi, I cannot stand him anymore I had it with him, for crying out loud why did he call Di Natale? What major thing will Di Natale do? Wow Palombo that is a shocker to me!!!




Lippi made a tragic error in judgement by not using the Conf Cup as a testing ground for some of our younger players. It was woefully obvious that Gauttuso and Pirlo were in no shape to hold the midfield against much younger, faster and stronger opponents. Both have to go. Italy cannot continue playing a system with every release ball coming through Pirlo. Brazil showed you twice (in London and in S Africa) how easy it is to dispossess him with just a little bit of pressure. The link between the defense and teh attack should reside with Rossi & Cassano. two players that have great skill and love to play fast moving ball to feet tactics. If we place a strong central attacker in front of them (can you say Amauri)who creates space and punishes defenses than both Rossi & Cassano will have a field day. This leaves a 3 man midfield and has to be constructed around De Rossi, Camo, D’Agostino.
As for the others, we need to bring Quags, Palombo, Di Natale, Iaquinta as good subs. please do not bring Pepe! Great work ethic, but all he does is run straight towards the touch line without any understanding of what to do next with the ball. When he is in front of goal he has a touch of stone.
I hope someone steps up a central defender because Chiellini cannot do his job and Canna’s forever. Yes to Grosso, Santon & Zambrotta for the wide defense roles but who can be Chiellini’s partner in the middle?
Posted from
Belgium




http://onmysite.ro/sport – here live sports from all over the world ..
online TV just in IE with sopcast


Comments are closed
Send Your Tips!
Email tips[at]worldcupblog[dot]org
Italy Club Football News
- Preview: Juventus v. Udinese
- Bologna v Inter: Mortadella Speedbump on the Road to Catalonia
- Milan-Cagliari
- Player of the Decade: Alessandro Nesta?
- The International Break is Over, Parma come to the Franchi
More Europe Blogs
France World Cup Blog
789 Articles | 10,306 Comments
Croatia World Cup Blog
192 Articles | 1,821 Comments
Czech Republic World Cup Blog
196 Articles | 320 Comments
England World Cup Team Blog
811 Articles | 2,769 Comments
Germany World Cup Blog Blog
485 Articles | 3,098 Comments
Italy World Cup Blog
567 Articles | 21,783 Comments
Netherlands World Cup Blog
2,013 Articles | 26,932 Comments
Poland World Cup Blog
352 Articles | 4,198 Comments
Portugal World Cup Blog
453 Articles | 7,016 Comments
Serbia World Cup Team Blog
168 Articles | 847 Comments
Spain World Cup Blog
235 Articles | 1,926 Comments
Sweden World Cup Blog
151 Articles | 318 Comments
Switzerland World Cup Blog
217 Articles | 327 Comments
Ukraine World Cup Team Blog
120 Articles | 806 Comments
Greece World Cup Blog
142 Articles | 70 Comments
Russia World Cup Blog
81 Articles | 143 Comments
Scotland World Cup Team Blog
101 Articles | 108 Comments
Ireland World Cup Team Blog
55 Articles | 121 Comments
Norway World Cup Team Blog
9 Articles | 6 Comments
Turkey World Cup Blog
39 Articles | 293 Comments
Romania World Cup Blog
78 Articles | 281 Comments
Austria World Cup Blog
111 Articles | 117 Comments
Denmark World Cup Team Blog
8 Articles | 27 Comments
Albania World Cup Team Blog
4 Articles | 8 Comments
Belgium World Cup Team Blog
49 Articles | 59 Comments
Wales World Cup Team Blog
61 Articles | 17 Comments
Bosnia World Cup Team Blog
31 Articles | 87 Comments
Israel World Cup Team Blog
22 Articles | 18 Comments
Monthly Archives
World 







