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Unity

June 16th, 2006 | By: Jay | 13 Comments »

Teams need a lot of things to survive, but more than anything (aside from talent, of course) they need…unity. I’ve been perusing some of the player comments since the Ghana match and its becoming obvious that these guys are a tight group.

Camo:
“I can compare this World Cup with the recent European Championships and I can say that with Lippi something has changed, there is a different spirit and a great feeling among us. If a play I am happy, but if I don’t I’m happy anyway because I know that sooner or later I will.”

Pirlo:
“We feel very good with the new head coach and we want to work, the group is compact…we all work for the team, for the passion that the fans have shown for us, especially in this very delicate moment.”

Iaquinta:
“When I was called upon I showed I was ready but of course all 23 of us have to feel ready…you need to have a bit of aggression and be fired up when you are on the bench so you can produce your best if you are called upon. That is how it was for me and I came on and scored.”

Gila:
“We play well together, but Italy are a tactically versatile side who can adopt many different systems, changing during the game. That’s a very important aspect of our team. We’re also doing a lot of fitness work this week and preparing for the United States.”

There’s not a lot of moaning about who’s starting and who isn’t, who missed their chances, or (thankfully) anything to do with the scandal back home. Lippi has also been quiet even by his standards, which is a great sign. Compare that with the U.S., where Bruce Arena is under the white lamp, and his players are hinting that ’some guys on the squad were flat’ and the disparity between the two sides is even greater. Now granted, you find out just how unified a team is when things are going wrong (not when things are all going right) but the mental foundation is here for a great tournament.

Tags: Azzurri, Italy

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Comments

By Das | June 16th, 2006 at 5:38 am

Yes Jay, the team shows a unity, of course Lippi has the credit for that. At this moment, we have to think about two matches 1. Italy vs Brasil, 2 Italy vs Croatia. At least the second one shud be considered seriously in anticipation that we will qualify in this group in position 1.

As Pao mentioned in one of his previous comment, in case if we have to tug with Brasil early, I think we need not think that, that is soemthing that we cannot achive. Based on Brazils match against Croatia, we also can make an impact on them if we could prepare well in all aspects.with the existing team.

I still believe that Croatia is a tuff opponent even if they lost to Brazil. So we need to focus more on the handling Croatia and Brazil at this moment. Anyway Azzuri is going to win against USA. Rather we need to win without much speculation on that.

Posted from United States

By Vin | June 16th, 2006 at 5:55 am

Das, Italy CAN lose to the U.S., and Italy CAN lose to Czech Republic, so they need to be looking at things one match at a time… which I think (thankfully) they ARE doing. We can worry about Brazil or Croatia later. We haven’t even made it into the next round yet!

Posted from United States

By Lang | June 16th, 2006 at 7:17 am

It’s way too early to make any finite conclusions, but I’m really beginning to like what Lippi is doing here. He seems to be breaking things down to the essentials, to be declaring that despite all the hype, despite all the superstars, despite all the political implications, this is just a tournament centered around a simple game. He did that first by insisting that the most important game of the tournament was against Ghana and then by refusing to treat any of the players like premadonnas. Del Piero may be a Juventus legend, but Iaquinta is in form, and so Iaquinta got the call. Lippi is old school. I love the fact that he makes the team do sit-ups in practice when they let in a goal. It reminds me of the movie ‘Hoosiers’ with Lippi as a less fiery Gene Hackman…

Posted from United Kingdom

By Lang | June 16th, 2006 at 7:18 am

It also makes me think that Cassano’s exclusion from the squad was a prudent idea. He is brilliant but it’s players like him who break down team unity.

Posted from United Kingdom

By rinaldo | June 16th, 2006 at 8:09 am

^same going for panucci’s exclusion.

Posted from India

By Giuseppe Signori | June 16th, 2006 at 1:24 pm

There is a possibility that Italy might lose to USA and Czech. Thats what happened 4 years ago, Italy was over confident after the 3-0 win over Ecuador and suffered against Croatia and Mexico. We should treat USA with great respect and not brag about a definite win against them. I dont know why, but my gut tells me that Gilardino is not the best of choice for a starting role in the first 11. He hasnt proved himself in the champions league yet for milan and seems to struggle against Ghana the other day. Lets hope he will converts most of the chances to goals. Im really worried for Italy..

Posted from Singapore

By pao | June 16th, 2006 at 2:48 pm

G.S., Gilardino scored 70 goals in three seasons in serie A, which is not that simple. I thinkhe proved himself. Many didn’t like him against Ghana. I think he played a good match, I am confident about the boy.
You are definitely right, no overconfidence and let’s treat USA with great respect and it will be all right.

Posted from Italy

By Josh | June 16th, 2006 at 4:19 pm

I could see how Cassano might have rocked the boat a bit, but I totally disagree about Panucci. The only one he locks horns with is Lippi, and that’s crap by Lippi. HUGE horsecrap by Lippi. Still, Lippi’s a genius and we love him dearly today. Forza Lippi.

Most of us have been following the U.S team for quite a while now, and I have to say that — assuming we continue to play our attacking style — there’s simply no way that the U.S. could beat us. There are a thousand cliches that could employed here, but I’ll go with: hell would freeze over first. No, wait, I have a better one: England would sooner advance to the finals… LOL!!!

Posted from United States

By Vin | June 16th, 2006 at 4:42 pm

All I know is, I am watching this one on the Spanish station (Univision or Telemundo), because I just can’t deal with listening to these ESPN announcers.

Posted from United States

By Fabio | June 16th, 2006 at 5:15 pm

i just seriously can’t wait until pippo gets on the pitch, like when they subbed del piero on everyone went nuts, to see inzaghi play on a world cup stage one last time is gonna be the stuff of legends

Posted from Canada

By NAPOLI | June 16th, 2006 at 5:42 pm

inzaghi yes play him with luca up front he is a legend, and he has been on form latly

Posted from United Kingdom

By Vin | June 16th, 2006 at 6:55 pm

+1 to bring on Pippo! Let him find the net!

Posted from United States

By Francesco | June 17th, 2006 at 5:16 am

Vin I agree with you totally!!! Univision is the best!!! I hate the ESPN announcers….they were comparing the English team (a good midfield) to Real Madrid (too many strikers)….help me out, I don’t see the connection.. FORZA AZZURI and watch it in Spanish!!!!!!

Posted from United States

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