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Knight in Shining Armor on the Way?

June 15th, 2008 | By: chris | 138 Comments »

There’s a strong rumor emanating out of the boot that the soon-to-be-defunct Roberto Donadoni Era will make way for a return to greatness: Marcello Lippi is coming back.

I don’t think this would (will? - being called a mere “formality” and we’ve all been expecting this for some time) be a great shock to anyone, but it doesn’t temper down the excitement in any way whatsoever. This man is a walking, talking trophy cabinet. He’s shortlisted for the best coach in the world, despite spending much of the last two years smoking finely crafted Cubans and basking in the Mediterranean sun aboard his yacht. Until the end of the 2010 World Cup he’ll still be the defending coach, and it looks like now he’ll have the chance to defend his trophy.

Nobody in their right mind could deny that this tournament would have gone differently with a quality coach at the helm, much less Marcello Lippi himself. 3-0 to the Netherlands with a lineup looking as though Donadoni had thrown a pot of capellini against the wall to see how much would stick never ever would have happened. There would have been more friendlies, better squad selections (though I have few arguments with the 23 - maybe just understanding you called up only 7 defenders, 5 of which are over 30, and one named Marco Materazzi), some actual semblance of tactics, quality substitutions (what was that with Romania?), and - gasp - a win or two already. In fact, as good as the Dutch have been, Lippi can put together a defense and I’m convinced they’d be at least 4 points in right now, maybe six.

There is no question a World Cup means more than a Euro title; they don’t put the number of European trophies you hold on the shirt, after all. The stars are on there because they are the highest summit a team can obtain in world football. Put a dozen European Championships up against one World Cup title and it’s without the hesitation of even a single heartbeat: the star.

If this tournament is what was needed to get Lippi back into the fold, regardless of what happens on Tuesday it can be considered nothing but a success. Time to defend the world title properly.

All hail Marcello!

Tags: Euro 2008, Group E, Marcello Lippi, Roberto Donadoni, World Cup 2006

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 138 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By mike de robbio | June 16th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

it’s over guys. Donadoni has totally destroyed our beloved Azzurri. He’s even smashed a few records in the process…worst result in 25 years against Holland for example. 25 years?! Quarter of a century of dignity trashed in 90 shit minutes.
I almost know im going to gasp in shock when i see the line up against France. He’ll probably play himself, De Rossi off, him on…why not eh?
‘Screw it’ he’ll say..’we don’t need 11 guys against france…me and ambrosini can sort them out’.
And that will be that…Buona notte Italia. Until 2010.

Posted from Australia

By Frank | June 16th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Don’t worry guys everythings going to be fine and im confident that Holland will pull off a win and not hand us a biscotti.Why would they worry about us advancing when they gave both italy and france a thrashing? They have every right to do what they like and hats off to them for an explosive start.We just have to think about beating france.

Posted from Canada

By moka (ACM) | June 16th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Romania only managed to score thanks to Zambrotta..

I don’t see them scoring against Holland..

By drunvalo | June 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

holland should win, if they are indeed the better team. these are competative athletes who want to win at all costs. Its in there blood. unless its in their blood to cheat. then they will lay down, cause the italians wont be the team they played in the groups if they meet in the semis. ya..they will lay down to romainians. see you in 2010.

PETITION FOR INSTANT REPLAY IN SOCCER! to challange offside and onside goals and fouls in the box.

Posted from Canada

By alessio | June 16th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

Heh. I’m not even going to be able to watch tomorrow’s games, my boss is taking me out golfing tomorrow afternoon with a couple clients. I can’t decide if this is good or bad.

Predictions on tomorrow? Whenever big teams “go for the win” it ends in a draw, but I’ll remain optimistically pessimistic.
Italy wins, Romania wins, Romania+Holland progress.

Posted from United States

By mike de robbio | June 16th, 2008 at 11:15 pm

if donadoni puts on his ambrosini centred midfield, we’re gonna get beat. If pirlo plays and cassano plays, we’ll beat them. Romania may draw with holland

Posted from Australia

By Frank | June 16th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

Agreed,we cant win this game without Pirlo starting and most importantly we need the gypsies to lose!

Posted from Canada

By mike de robbio | June 16th, 2008 at 11:57 pm

i do think we need to stop relying on luca toni to score so much…everyone crossing balls for him to head…bring boriello on in the 2nd half

Posted from Australia

By drunvalo | June 16th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

judging by the posts here, we’ve alreay moved on to 2010.

who’s the bigger threat to the azzuri’s tourmanent life? the laying down dutchman or the not so fantstic frenchman

Posted from Canada

By mike de robbio | June 17th, 2008 at 12:12 am

drunvalo, the answer is neither…it’s donadoni

Posted from Australia

By Sally | June 17th, 2008 at 12:42 am

I dont even care about Holland Romania, I just want Italy to goddamn win against France because it’s France and if we bow out at least do it with a win damn it.

It’s a case of dumb vs dumber - Donodoni vs Domenech.

By Sally | June 17th, 2008 at 12:42 am

And yes SCREW THE 433 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Carlos | June 17th, 2008 at 12:52 am

Hi there, just read a report

Holland will be resting 9 players - the 3 best players will however play
vd Sar Robben vPersie.
It’s still a very strong side as Huntelaar will be upfront.
In fact the side which looks like this
Sar
Melchiot Heitinga Bouma deCler
de Zeeuw Engelaar
Robben Affelay vPersie
Huntelaar

has actually 7 players that were vBasten’s first choice.

Posted from Singapore

By mike de robbio | June 17th, 2008 at 1:31 am

at least pirlo thinks he should be playing:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun16p.html

Posted from Australia

By francesco | June 17th, 2008 at 7:58 am

hey porchetta don’t be such a dick. It is people like you who are not ‘true’ Italians. I’m 16, I was born in Napoli and came over to England when I was 14 due to my father’s job. I was quickly welcomed into the local Italian neigbourhood with Calabrians, Neapolitani, and Tuscans all together.
And because I live in the UK makes me less Italian? Please, tell that to my family.
Maybe you should begin to support Spain if you have a problem with other Italians.
la squadra di Donadoni? Fanno schifo :p

Posted from United Kingdom

By drunvalo | June 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am

my parents were born in italy and moved to canada when they were in their 20s along with my fathers parents. My mother speaks to me in italian and so do my grandparents, as far as im concerned. I AM ITALIAN. been there 3 times

Posted from Canada

By Giuseppe | June 17th, 2008 at 10:19 am

Same here, grandparents are italian, mother is italian, lots of italian relatives living in Avellino near Napoli. I have supported the Azzurri since I care to remember. It has been a long hard slog sometimes but always worth it in the end. Hell been to Italia 6 times or more!

Anyway this is the squad I woild like to see against France.

Buffon
Zambrotta Panucci Chiellini Grosso
Camo DDR Pirlo
Cassano
Toni De Natale

In a 4-3-1-2 formation also.

OK, would just like to wish everybody good luck for the france game, we can do it! and I want to be on here tomorrow discussing tactics for the next match against Spain!!

Just leaves me one thing to say…..In bocca al lupo!!

FORZA ITALIA PER SEMPRE!!!
bocca al lupo!

Posted from United States

By Giuseppe | June 17th, 2008 at 10:23 am

@PORCHETTA

So I take it you dont consider Canna a true Italian??
Enough with the BS north south divide, I am only glad the Azzurri do not share your sentiments!

Posted from United States

By alessio | June 17th, 2008 at 10:33 am

Porchetta, I don’t even know where to start. I’m not a “4th generation” Italian, my dad was born and raised in Foggia and moved over when he was 25. But yeah, you know what, I was born and raised in America. I’m proud of my Italian ancestry and I have Italian citizenship as well, but I’m an American. And yes, it’s possible to support two teams. What I hate more are Italian-Americans like me, born and raised negli Stati Uniti who pull for Italy over America. And yes, I speak Italian near-fluent but I’m more comfortable with English and that’s not why I’m wasting my time on pointless gossip websites like Tuttosport. The question is why are you here?

The regional divide argument is really tired. Anyone familiar with Italy is well aware of it. Northern Italians hate Southern Italians, us Foggiani are “northern Italians” (according to several Sicilians) and several Southern Italians hate Sicilians. Get the fuck over yourself. Siamo un paese, siamo una nazione. Every country has regional biases but there’s no reason why intelligent people should troll about them, but I may be taking a bit of liberty in assuming you are one.

Posted from United States

By footbal girl | June 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am

I think France will go through. I love the Italian players. But France defense is a bit better than te Italians. I hope that i´m wrong. And the dutch team is very talented even the ones that didn´t play yet. They r going for a win.

Posted from Netherlands

By alessio | June 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am

French defense is certainly not better than the Italians. Thuram? Sagnol is kinda off, and Gallas has never impressed me.

Posted from United States

By lamagica | June 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am

guys, this is rediculous. none of you need to justify your ‘italian-ness’ to this guy. for starters, he doesnt even know how to spell his so-called city of birth and has mis-spelled it each time he states it. it’s “frosinone”, not fr(I)sinone. however, being that i’m a transplanted italian, i’m sure i’m not qualified to correct any ‘real’ italians around here, am i, porchetta?

being of roman origins, i have a few not-so-kind words to share about you burrini to the south. yes, to THE SOUTH. given that you claim people from south of rome are not ‘italian’, i guess that includes you too. do you see how rediculous you sound…not to mention contradictory??

anyway, gentlemen, for whatever its worth today, FORZA ITALIA!

Posted from Canada

By maya | June 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

they are totally different coaches.Donadoni has done what he could through these three matches.Italian defender are becoming better and better,Though there still be a lot of problems.

Posted from China