Welcome Back Lippi. Now Fix Our Team

August 21st, 2008 | by: Julian |

Let’s not pull any punches. Yesterday was a disaster for the Azzurri. Yes, it was just a friendly. No, that doesn’t mean it’s ok. It was a sub-par performance by a team (And not just any team- we are the world champs) that hasn’t scored from open play in 5(!) games. It’s entirely unacceptable. Let’s break down the game, see what went wrong, and how we could possibly fix it.

If we look at the game position by position, it becomes pretty clear where the problems are. Starting with the back and working our way forward:

Goalie: Buffon is amazing. He wasn’t really at fault for either goal (Honestly, who saw those coming? They came from nowhere, especially the first), but he’s Buffon. I get disappointed if the ball gets past the penalty spot if he’s in goals. He had a couple saves but wasn’t all that busy during the game. Nothing to fix here because nothing could be better. The best goalie in the world and should obviously be kept in the starting lineup, unless Lippi wants to be fired.

Defense: Absolute shambles. I don’t know how Italy went from having like 50 top defenders coming out every year to 4, but this is our weak point. Without Canna and Chiellini, the middle of the back four is very, very weak. Materazzi is gone, Barzagli is garbage, and Bonera is an absolute joke. Legro really impressed me, and if he was younger I’d give him a starting spot from tomorrow on (until Canna and Chiell get better). But his age coupled with his performance means that he’d be a solid sub. But overall, yesterday’s game makes you wish that Nesta never retired. The good news is that help is on the way. Chiellini and Canna will eventually recover, and there’s guys like Santacroce who could turn out to be world class. Plus with DDR’s style of play, having him is like having a fifth defender which eases the workload a bit. But what the hell. I’m not sure there’s an easy fix to this at all. The only solution- pray to whatever god/idol you believe in that C+C recover by the time qualification begins.

Now our left/rightbacks is tricky. Grosso shows glimpses of his Germany days every once in a while, but I’m in the group that says it’s time to move on. Maggio is only 27 and he was great last year- if he can keep up his club form this year, I’m all for putting him on the Azzurri. Dossena really impressed me yesterday, and he’s only like 24. Which is Azzurri years is practically in diapers. Cassetti did good yesterday but he’s the wrong side of 30 for me. I think we need to get young guys into the lineup so we can be ready for 2010.

Midfield:This might be the one area of the Azzurri that did what it was supposed to yesterday. We kept the ball, had good spells of possession, and everyone did their job. Pirlo was playmaker but was shut down a few too many times for my liking. DDR is great at his role and often switches between defender and pseudo-playmaker. Gattuso needs to be dropped. I’m not sure Aqui is ready for the big time yet, but once Giovinco is ready I’d love to see him play right between the midfield and the strikers in a Totti-esque trequartista position. Based off what I remember, the midfield did it’s job. No major complaints, and probably the one area that gets by without criticism. Without a doubt, it’s the strongest part of the current Azzurri lineup.

Strikers: Note to Lippi: The starting strikers from next game on must be either Cassano, Rossi, Giovinco, Freshwater, or Toni (Hell, I’m willing to give him a second chance after watching Gila yesterday). Gila is gone. He’s not Azzurri material, and he’s never really been. He’s more afraid of the ball than Hannah Montana is of kids finding out her true identity, and he can’t hit the Great Wall of China from 15 feet out. I still think Del P can be very valuable, but only as a sub and if played in his position. Christmas was trying like crazy yesterday, but he’s just not talented enough. But his sheer effort means he deserves a spot on the bench for me.

I know the guys I listed above are young, but they’re the best we got. And they actually score from open play (see: Toulon, the Olympics before the Belgium game).

Oh shit, I forgot Iaquinta. I think his brute force approach to the game would do great to compliment the creative likes of Cassano/Gio. Keep him.

But one thing needs to be dropped- the strategy of “work the ball down the flanks, cross it in high and pray someone heads it in”. Where’s the runs? Where’s the one touch passing and dummies? We need to mix up the style and be less predictable in attack.

So overall, yesterday was pretty bad. But I don’t think we need an entire revolution. We need to change formation and change a few players. But other than that, we still showed hunger and had good possession. If anyone can fix this, it’s Lippi.

Tags: Alex Del Piero, Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Di Natale, Austria, Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Cannavaro, Friendly, Gennaro Gattuso, Giorgio Chiellini, Group E, Italy, Marcello Lippi, Sebastian Giovinco

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By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 12:14 pm

BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK
BRING TOTTI BACK

Posted from United States

By Julian | August 21st, 2008 at 12:25 pm

calisi- we picked up on creativity towards the end but it was too little, too late. We need to vary things up from beginning to end, not only when we’re behind

and asem, I’m not sure that’s the answer either. Totti will be 32/33 by WC 2010 and he’s been very injury prone recently. Why not try Giovinco in a trequartista role? Or hell, Cassano?

By Michel-Olivier | August 21st, 2008 at 12:45 pm

totti and nesta are focusing in club football and family.
when you play for your national team, your club, champions league, and other cups you have no time for yourself nor your family and friends. at 31-3- to many games will break you unless your a GK.

Posted from United States

By alessio | August 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm

I agree with nearly 100% of what you said, Julian. Except on the midfield.

Pirlo was pretty bad yesterday, I haven’t seen that many intercepted passes in a while. He distributed to the wings, but that was about it. He still looks tired, as he has for the last year or so which worries me. Gattuso is the same way, he needs to take a month vacation and see if he’s still got it in him physically to keep on. He was rubbish yesterday.

De Rossi impressed me very much. We all knew he had the talent but he’d never really had a star game for the Azzurri. He was passing better than Pirlo, and charging most balls down. Aquilani was meh still.

Here’s my arbitrary hastily composed ratings:

Buffon- 6
Zambrotta- 5.5
Barzagli- 4.5
Bonera- 5.5
Grosso- 5.5
Gattuso- 4
Pirlo- 5
De Rossi- 7.5
Gilardino- 5.5
Del Piero- 6
Di Natale- 5

Subs-
Legrottaglie- 6.5
Dossena- 6.5
Aquilani- 5
Palombo- 5.5

Posted from United States

By calisi | August 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm

asem, we cannot be bringing Totti back. We have to move on from our team of 30+ year olds and bring some youth in. It is passed some players time and we can thank them for their contribution to the team, etc. We can’t keep riding these guys out for the next WC, Euro etc.

Posted from United States

By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pm

i know he’s old, but i still love him.

either way, DDR is obviously the best / most dominant fielder (not goalie) for Italia now. i think he has taken over the mantle from Pirlo and being only 25, he still has so much time to bring more glory to italy. they say most players hit their peak at 27 or 28 and he’s not even there yet! i thought he was the best player for italy in the subpar Euro 2008 peformance as well. truly deserving of the #10 jersey. what do you think, julian?

i obviously have some beef with Antonio Cassano, but i can’t doubt that he’s a supreme talent. everyone said he played well at Euros, but I didn’t really see it. Regardless, he def deserves a spot on the team. I’m not sure about Gila yet, I think we’re writing him off too soon. He was solid in the WC adn that was only 2 years ago. I think as the lone frontman, yeah he’s weak, but with another player along side him like a Toni or Iaquinta, he could play better.

Why does Del Piero do so bad for Italia? You remember the game Juventus had a week or two ago against Artmedia? I watched the full game and he was absolutely DOMINATING. I know there is quite a bit of a talent gap between Artmedia and the Austrian national team, but still. He should preform much better for his country. I will still never forgive him for Euro 2000 when Er Pupone basically gave the game to him to finish it off and he never did…

I think, at least for qualifying, Lippi should patch things up with Christian “Old Man River” Panucci. He really impressed during Euro 2008 and performed a great partnership with Chiellini, who needs to get healthy. If Cannavaro is even somewhat close to his level during ‘06, this team can defend their title come 2010.

PS- BRING TOTTI BACK

Posted from United States

By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Dossena played really well as well yesterday and in his debut for Liverpool in the first game of the season a week back. And he’s 26 right now. Great option. I’d really like to see Cassetti play as well but that’s just my Roma bias sneaking in again.

Perrotta needs to go.
Materazzi should never come back.
Del P needs to go.
Barzagli needs to go.
Legro should stay, like you said, as a back-up.
Di Natale is also 30/31ish, so he should go.
Gattuso needs to go.
Aquilani must be groomed into a Pirlo-esque player.
Everyone else should stay.
Bring in Guieseppe Rossi and Giovinco, maybe Aquafresca.

Posted from United States

By Julian | August 21st, 2008 at 1:17 pm

alessio- Pirlo was bad but I’m willing to give him the botd considering all he’s done. He looks tired so I’m hoping that with a break, he’ll be back to his best.

DDR always seems to give all he can and is one of the best/most consistent Azzurri performers recently. I don’t know if he’s a 10 in the style of Baggio/Totti, but with all he’s done I don’t mind him having the shirt

By Stasio | August 21st, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Cassano-Inquanta

Camo-DDR-Pirilo-Montolivo

Grosso-Chillineli-Cannavaro-Zambrotta

Buffon

OR…
Cassano
Totti
DDR-Pirlo-Montolivo
Grosso-Chillineli-Cannavaro-Zambrotta
Buffon

By Salvatore | August 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm

I agree more or less with Asem…Lippi really needs to make a wide-ranging generational sweep. It’s time to let the younger guys play, sink or swim.

Posted from Canada

By michael | August 21st, 2008 at 4:05 pm

One word can sum up the lack luster match and anyone who has ever lived in Italy can confirm this….Agosto

Posted from United States

By gianfranco | August 21st, 2008 at 6:53 pm

Still with the bring Totti back, let it go, it is over he is done and done, and so is Rino. The difference is I am not to proud to say it…

Pirlo will be back, it will take time, but he is to valuable to not give the benefit of the doubt to as Julian noted. DDR cant play his role, he lacks the on the ball skill that Pirlo has, and he lacks the vision even more.

Posted from United States

By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 7:29 pm

can’t….
let……
it…….
go…….

too……
in…….
love…..
with…..
totti….

By alessio | August 21st, 2008 at 8:05 pm

Seek counseling.

Posted from United States

By Julian | August 21st, 2008 at 8:16 pm

gianfranco- overall, Pirlo is still the most creative midfielder Italy have, no doubt (maybe Cassano could give him a run for his money, but he’s a striker). But DDR yesterday actually was passing the ball better and more precisely. He’s turning into quite the player for both club and country. Him and Montolivo are really becoming world class

By Mike | August 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm

a healthy and sharp pirlo, is in a class of his own 10 days out of the week. De Rossi is becoming a midfield maestro. What I mean by that is that he is gradually he is becoming able to play most if not any position in midfield (this is my feeling). He could fill in for pirlo in a pinch, but I would much rather see someone like cassanno dropping back to fill the playmaker role. Hell, even Aquilani would be better. I feel that he is more technically gifted than De Rossi.

but like you guys have said, the new/young guys need to be given a chance to shine. sometimes the old guard just does not cut it. Think of milan last season, no offense to any milan fans. just the first example that popped to mind.

By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm

do you guys think that Daniele De Rossi is the most versatile player in the world? in the sense that he shifts seamlessly from defense to attack. he always seems to get that last ditch tackle to save the defense on one end and on the other end he distributes the ball very well, as well as gets in the occasional longrange shot or header. he is in my opinion. what do y’all think?

By asem | August 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm

And counseling doesn’t help Ale.
i love the roman-borns too much.

By Vincent | August 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm

Please I hope Lippi will move on and break with some of the old guard[Matrix, ADP, Gattuso, etc...]

If not, it was a mistake to bring him back.

Italy need more fresh blood from the Under -21 team plus Balotelli, Cassano and Osvaldo mixed with the WC vets like DDR, Pirlo, Buffon, Canna, etc…

I am getting a worried feeling he ain;t gonna do it

By Porchetta | August 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 am

players like nesta and Totti are finished in international scene.Nesta is not the rock he was once, some of his displays with Milan last season clearly showed that he has lost an yard of pace. I just hope Lippi doesnt make the mistake of bringing back Mad Max..Mad Max is 34, he has definately lost his pace( remember the Holland game??), he can cost us dearly with his antics. Sadly, the most patriotic player in the squad, Rino also looks like finished goods(wont get surprised to see him replaced eventually by Flamini in Milan). Lippi should start grooming youngsters for
1)Centre back( santacroce…)
2)Defensive midfielder(?????)
3)Right back( maggio….)

Amauri must not be given any chance t represent us because he has clearl mentioned that Italia is his last choice..
Balotelli, Giovinco, Rossi, Cigarini, Russotto,Montolivo…we are fine in the striking and midfield departmen but what worries me is the defense..

By Ranjeet | August 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 am

Gattuso must go. As a Milan fan,I hate to say it,but i dont think he’s got it anymore. He must focus on club football

By gianfranco | August 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 am

“do you guys think that Daniele De Rossi is the most versatile player in the world?”

Not even in the top 5 Asem: Essien, Toure, Eboue and so on can play almost anywhere on the pitch, not just midfield…

Posted from United States

By Bashar | August 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm

hahaha.. “Seek counseling”.. good one alessio.

The “Now fix our team” comment is pretty funny too.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | August 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm

De Rossi versatile? I don’t think so.. He can play defensive midfielder and CB… Attacking mid, maybe but I don’t remember the last time he’s played there. But he generally plays in only 1 position so it’s hard to call him versatile.

Essien is incredibly versatile.. DM, RB, CB, out on the wing.. I’m sure he can play in the attacking midfield role if he wants.. But Essien is at his best in the DM position just like DDR.

Eboue can play RB and RW but he is rubbish in both according to Arsenal players. He had 1 really good year but I haven’t heard anything good about him since. I also don’t see Yaya Toure or Kolo Toure being very versitile. Kolo can play CB and fullback (?) maybe. Don’t know about Yaya apart from DM.

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By Porchetta | August 27th, 2008 at 5:23 am

Some guys may call me as being biased towards my fellow Italian de Rossi when i call him the best, let me be honest , De Rossi is technically superior to essien..essien is just versatile and more physical, but De Rossi, not only according to me but to of all people French legends like Blanc Laurent, Deschamps and even the clown domenech is among the best 3 midfielders in the world..In a couple of years, cometh 2010 world cup, De Rossi will be the best..and pls dont compare Eboue or Toures with De Rossi..lololol..Eboue has failed consistently to maintain consistency, i mean just a few good matches with a couple of great ones against Juventus a few years ago doesnt make him an equal..
de Rossi, i repeat has it all..He can help the defense, he can make pin point passes, he can score goals from long rangers and he is one of the best headers of the ball..He will be a monster when he turns 27-28 at his peak…De Rossi–Gigi Buffon–Pirlo..These are all in their own league and they can walk into any world 11

Posted from Spain