The Short Term Future of this Blog

I’d also like to add that most of the regular commentators have been doing a great job discussing the other matches anyway, and Paul and I will jump into that discussion as well.

What do you think will be Davide Santon’s role in this squad for the next couple of years will be? Right back or left back?

Bench player unless he starts playing for Inter. If he does though, I think he was quite good at leftback back when they played Man U.

Could one of your future posts be about your opinion and also a debate of should Buffon be the automatic number 1 in the beginning of the prandelli era or should he fight like everybody else in for that spot like everybody else and personally I think you’ll see Sirigu overtime take that spot during Euro qualifying just because Buffon’s injuries might caught up to him

Rod do you think his form dipped or is it just the injuries? Sirigu had a great year but he needs to show his worth in Europe to be in contention for us as far as I’m concerned. With Buffon out till 2011 though, maybe it’s time we started looking for his successor… When’s Curci going to rise to greatness?

This my prediction of what the team will look like in the 2012 Euro’s
4-3-1-2
Sirigu
Santon-Bonnucci-Chielini-Criscito

Montolivo-Derossi(Captain)-Candreva

Cassano
Balotelli-G.Rossi

I think its both his form and the injuries that have affected him for the past couple of seasons and I think this could be a big year for Sirigu for both club and country to show himself to be one of the top gk’s in the game. First of all Curci has to get out of Siena then we’ll see

Who would rather have as Captain Derossi or Chielini?

If we go by caps it has to be DDR, but Chiellini has definitely earned it considering the shit he’s played with the past 2 years back there. Overall though I think it should go to De Rossi.

Great job on the blog guys!

I really hope this is the season one of the younger GK’s can step up to the world class level. Gigi is becoming more and more injury prone, and we need to have a capable replacement at the ready.

It seems Bonucci will be signing with Juve. Will he and Chiellini form the central CB pairing? If so, I hope they can mesh and be a formadable pairing, and it pains me to say that as a Napoli supporter. But Italy need a renewed strong CB pair.

Oh, and I hope PCanna will get a fair shake under Prandelli

I must say I really have enjoyed reading your blog after stumbling upon it! As a proud Italian American I have followed the Azzuri every World Cup. I must admit though I am not very knowledgeable on Italian Football. I am trying to change that. I would love to know about the future “stars” of the Azzuri, what young players may be out there that I can follow, who will hopefully bring the World Cup back where it belongs!

Again I would like to thank everyone on the blog! I really enjoy reading the articles and comments from people in the know!

Jimmy

i think we’ll see de silvestri appear at right back and hopefully santon at left back…although i don’t think santon will make the euro 2012 team just yet. i don’t imagine inter will give the poor sod much playing time.
i really hope giovinco plays well with bari and he gets a call up..also i’d like to see abate play for us. he’s a great pacy winger

Julian and Paul,

Not sure there should have even been a question of whether you two should keep writing for the Azzurri Offside. You guys do a bang up job, and are to be commended.

One question I have is, would it be possible to have a easy to find list of upcoming fixtures and important dates in the FIGC calendar (friendlies, qualifiers etc) imbedded on this site. It always seems like a bit of a hassle scouring to find dates times and locations for Senior team, U-20, U-21 games on the net (and the FIGC site does not impress me)

Otherwise keep up the good work, and here’s to new blood……for the Azzurri and NOT the Azzurri Offside!

Chiellini has definitely earned it considering the shit he’s played with the past 2 years.
—————–
What is it with the hatred towards Cannavaro???
I cant understand that. This man gave his heart and soul to the blue shirt and now he’s being treated like enemy number 1. This is the man that basically won the World Cup for the Azzurri in 2006. The player of the entire tournament. He will always be considered a legend in my books. The best CB in Italian footballing history.
Since 2006 his level of play has dropped. No question about it. But unlike Totti, who at that point quit playing for the Azzurri, Cannavaro was always available to compete for his country. He was available for every friendly and every qualification game. Meanwhile, Totti cant be bothered making these trips to Bucharest and Nicosia and Dublin to help his country to qualify for the Euros or Mondiale.
Nobody put a gun to Cannavaro’s head to play in this World Cup. Cannavaro just accepted the invitation. Its not his fault. But as badly as Cannavaro played for Juve these past 2 years, he always seemed to pick up his game for the Azzurri. We went thru the entire qualifiers with Cannavaro at CB without losing a game. The 3 games played at this World Cup were terrible for every Azzurri. Cannavaro might have been responsible for 1 of the 5 goals conceeded, but thats debatable. Meanwhile De Rossi is responsible for 3 goals, yet we all want him to be the next Azzurri captain. De Rossi will never be 1/10th the player that Cannavaro has been.
All I’m saying is show some respect to the most capped Italian footballer in history.

What do you think will be Davide Santon’s role in this squad for the next couple of years will be? Right back or left back?

Actually, I expect Santon to start playing a bigger role from now, both at Inter and the Azzurri. Maicon will most certainly leave, and by the looks of it, we will probably be bringing in a left back instead. Which will leave Zanetti and Santon to man the right back post. Great as Zanetti is, even we Interistas know he won’t last forever, and its only right that the next great Inter bandiera takes over from him gradually.

Santon would have played more this season and probably made the WC squad if it weren’t for the two knee surgeries. He was good at LB, but his left foot is about as useful as Arjen Robben’s right. Inverted wingers are one thing, but inverted full backs will take some time to become mainstream.

Yo Julian and Paul. Thanks for the good work
and keep up the good work.

SO who is on Prandelli NO CALL LIST?
Maggio?
Pazzini ?

WOW.

Germany nearly feel apart. England did score 2 goals in less than 2 minutes.

BUT Platini and SEPP who dissed goal line technology and Video replays on goals , got their wish.

As much as I would love to see a frontline of Balo and Rossi with Cassano behind, we must remember this is Prandelli, and Gila is his boy.

At least we should be rid of Iaquinta, easily my least favorite Azzurri player of all time.

Dino, agree with you on Canna. Cannavaro is one exceptional player, of all times. He has had a wonderful career and was a great captain. And that is a fact. It will be very difficult to find a person to match up to his qualities. It is time for gli azzurri to find and groom the next No 5 as he will have BIG shoes to fill now.

He is one of my favourite Italian footballer.

Iaquinta is insanely rubbish. His time with the squadra is beyond finish. I dont hope to see him in the future team! At all.

Julian and Paul, I think you both do a fantastic job on the blog. I love coming here to read all your posts.

As for future Azzurri keeper, Curci has moved to Sampdoria hasn’t he? Could be good for him.

I think Ozil is the surprise so far. If there’s someone to get the best out of Gila, it’s Prandelli although it means we have to bear some years with Gila. I see Udinese are going to make good business recently, they’re going to get Candreva, sell Motta to juve but 30mil for Sanchez..wow..this is getting crazier.

Player to break into the 2012 squad? Cerci.

Dino, Cannavaro lost his marbles in the last four years. Didn’t know when to say goodbye at an appropriate time, was a problematic player at this world cup and prior to the world cup. Came to Juventus on a free transfer and completely mucked up this last season. Aside from one good world cup for the Azzurri, he’s shown time and time again that he isn’t a class act and simply a self centred prick. Good on him for helping to win a world cup, but admiration for him ends here.

For example, his latest comments attack Cassano? Can someone please tell me what Cassano has to do with Cannavaro being to slow and out of position for 80% of the goals we allowed this world cup?

Some people, like perhaps yourself, see him in the same light as Maldini or Nesta, those guys have class and grace. Cannavaro’s ‘leadership’ went completely missing during the world cup 2010.

kurdt, if Gilardino is scoring then I’ll stand to look at his ugly mug for another 10 years. But if he continues his utter shit abilities then I’d hope Prandelli has the guts to pull him. Under current observation I see no use for him on this team. But we all know he’s able to look good in a prandelli team.

Here’s a question for many of you, we’ve heard the names Ozil and Muller often this week. Who hear believes they would have been selected for our national team had they been italian. Let’s say they played for Palermo or samp would lippi have called them up?

Dino,
de rossi was responsible for 3 goals?? against paraguay,it was canna who helped alcaraz to climb on him and reach the ball sooner than de rossi,but its fine,the second one was the first goal of slovakia,yes,he made a wrong pass just outside the box,but does that mean he takes full responsibility for that goal? and correct me if i am wrong,but i cant remember where else he “let down” the team
btw,i am sure that de rossi will never say goal scoring is not his problem,even if he will be the captain
also i guess you and many others here are just juve(or italjuve) fans,because its the only way to explain the hatred towards ddr,the man who gets the credit for gaining all two points for azzurri,but surprisingly he is also the main anti-hero of our WC campaign

Marco, ABSOLUTELY!

Maldini and Nesta have class and grace on and off the field. they are legends in the great tradition of Italian masters of defending.

Canna, withoubt doubt in 2006, was a physical phenomenon and put in some brilliant individual performances, most notably the Germany semi and the Australia game.

But he does not have the enduring, natural talents of Maldini and Nests. it’s criminal maldini never won the WC but he new when to step aside and give younger players a go. If he hadn;t, then Canna would never have had the chance to shine as he did. Would he have the grace to do the same? No, we’ve already seen he hasn;t got any class or humility whatsoever.

And forget about Chiellini becoming a legendary Italian defender. Gimme Bonnucci and Ranocchia anyday. Let them grow into the role. Chiellini has a whole lot of heart but he makes bad decisions, looks panicked, has no pace, gets caught out of position and is prone to gaffs.

Lippi would never have picked Ozil, at 21 and with no discernable position. Muller, maybe, but only because he’s tall! Lippi would have ignored his skill, stuck him up top and launched balls at his head.

Looking ahead, Matri, Aquafresca, Aquilani, Balotelli, Giovinco, Davide Petrucci, Macheda, Poli, Santon. Not to mention players like Pazzini, Cassano, Pirlo, Buffon, Montolivo, who still have contributions to make.

I really hope Prandelli lets a young group bond like Germany have. We really need a clean sweep.

Waiting for the next great Italian keeper, too.

The problem with Canna was not just his bad performances but also his attitude. He is the captain of azzurri but he took none responsibility with his comments. At least DDR honestly admitted the goal in Paraguay was his mistake.

Forza Roma,

De Rossi even admitted that the goal that Paraguay scored was his fault. That put the team down 1-0 and completely changed the complexion of the game. Terrible way to start the tournament. Thanks De Rossi. Then the Slovakia game was a complete travesty. De Rossi basically single-handedly sent the Azzurri home in disgrace. That give away right in front of the net was bush league. What the fuck was he thinking??? Once again that puts the team down 1-0. Then near the end of the game when the Azzurri are working on a come back down 2-1, Slovakia has a throw-in in Azzurri territory. The Slovakia player runs right past De Rossi into the 18 yard box and scores the goal. Basically the final nail in the coffin. You Roma fans have to admit, De Rossi plays much better when he puts on the red shirt than when he puts on the blue shirt. There are lots of players like that, but thats not a person I want taking over as captain.
Cannavaro was the complete opposite. He played his best when he put on the blue shirt. Now you guys crucify Cannavaro because he made himself available for the national team??? He didn’t put a gun to anyone’s head to send him to South Africa. But as I illustrated with De Rossi’s Papara’s, Cannavaro was not even close to the worst player on the field for these 3 forgetable games.
And those comments by Cannavaro about Cassano are blown out of proportion. It wasnt so much a jab against Cassano as it was defending his fellow strikers and coach. He just said that Cassano was part of the Euro 2004 and Euro 2008 team and those were not memorable tournaments for anyone. Who’s to say that Cassano would have made a difference in South Africa. And as I recall, De Rossi had some negative things to say about Cassano a few months before the World Cup. Maybe you guys can clarify, but De Rossi was responding to a comment suggesting that Cassano should be part of the World Cup team. De Rossi responded by saying that he was not part of the qualification games, so he doesn’t deserve to go to South Africa.
Anyway, if you want to ctiticise the coach and the captain, then go right ahead. Just dont forget about this guy named Daniele De Rossi who should take just as much of the blame as anyone else. Maybe more…

I agree 90% with Dino, let’s just remember the great Cannavaro, il muro di Berlino, and forget this version.

For people wondering, Prandelli has already done his interview where he stated up front his preference will be Balotelli & Cassano supporting Gilardino. We can hate on Gila (and believe me I do) but we must also honestly realise that he was not given one pallagol all tournament. Not ONE. If you don’t give Gila chances to score then he won’t, he’s not Messi or Ronaldo, he finishes chances, he doesn’t make them.

Next captain can ONLY be Buffon.

Lastly, I know the Roma fans are loyal to their boys but please, I’ve read the name of Davide Petrucci three times now. Are you lot aware he’s never played a first team game of professional football yet? In terms of centre-back Ranocchia is the more blessed of the Bari partnership, I think he might be the one to partner Chiellini. For the future though we look healthy in nearly every position, let’s see what Prandelli thinks.

Dino, you’re not wrong. DDR had an awful world cup. I have had my doubts about him at national level. he discgraced himself in 2006 with that rash elbow and in 2010, he looked out of shape. he looked fired up before the game but played like a wimp. He’s nothing like Gattuso in his prime, he would have torn Solvakia a new cake hole.

if only we had played like we did in the last 18 minutes!!!i have never seen pretenders spain or argentina or anyone play like that!!!!screwww Lippi, cannavaro, gilardino, iaquinta, dinatale and cmarchetti..marchetti cant even save the 4 goals he let in, none of them were blinders!!

I admit de rossi was not good in world cup,but he wasnt terrible either.come on,show some respect
the difference between ddr and canna was the fact that,daniele really wanted to do his best,but what about canna? he is THE CAPTAIN,he must support everyone on the team,but he acts like a stupid fan and says scoring is not his problem
de rossi admitting his fault is a sign of support towards his captain,towards his team, a sign which shows that he clearly prefers team performance ahaed of his own,but what about canna? he doesnt care that much,he only wants to show doubters that he can still defend well and is still the top defender in italy
also a defensive midfileder,while defending must not let any long shots or through balls and chasing a striker who is one-on-one is not his top target
Dino,tell me where were canna and chiellini and even criscito on the 3rd goal that de rossi comes to act like a central defender??
i cant believe de rossi is the worst player for some fans in this WC,behind gila,iaquinta,canna or camo

Dino don’t even get me started on DDR. I’ve always been heavily critical of him. He’s had a horrendous world cup on two occasions now. Let’s also give praise to Ranieri for benching him when needed towards the end of the season, when push comes to shove this guy is capable of some genious mistakes.

Cannavaro, should be held responsible as a leader of the azzurri for his many remarks pertaining to the lack of youth in italy, the lack of quality compared to his generation in italy, the lack of class pertaining to cassano, the lack of class pertaining to taking any responsibility for the results he’s helped taking part in at Juventus and the azzurri, and for the lack of any regard to the tifosi, like yourself, who’ve supported him. What he should have done was what Maldini and Nesta have done before him, bowed out, especially on a high and made a statement that the national team was now for a new generation. I still remember when Maldini quit in 2002, the guy deserved the cup more than any other player to wear out jersey, yet left graciously amidst a scandelous world cup. Cannavaro though wins the bloody thing but still did everything possible to cling to the position with his cold dead out of form hands. No Tact.

The next captain of this team can only be Buffon. No one else has done the job as of yet. No one else has shown any leadership, aside from maybe Gattuso.

Another bad coaching move, why Gattuso against Slovakia? Any thought into that? You need to win, so you say, hey, Gattuso is known for his creativity, throw him in there. Why not just stick with marchisio, who from the position Gattuso played could have done 10 times the job and actually keep up with Hamsik and crew!?

Also, is it me, or are these teams playing with a lot of strikers on the field? I mean, defence, and cdm’s are not as heavily relied upon as in other world cups. Which makes me think a Balotelli – Cassano – Gilardino attack would work nicely.

About Gilardino, it’s obvious he had a lack of quality service at the world cup. What disturbs me about this guy is his lack of energy to go and create things himself. Borriello, albeit probably just as slow, will create something from nothing. Pazzini too. But Gilardino is in the same mould as luca toni, flopping around like a barrel.

Paolo, about Gattuso in his prime, what a beat. A guy who I’d like given a shot in that role under prandelli is Nocerino. I’ve always liked that guy, some people think he’s not up to it, but I reckon, at least give him a shot and let’s see what he can do. Your assessment is spot on DDR is in his prime, and seems to have been unable to step it up. I’m just hoping that Prandelli has the ability to bench some of these underachievers, or better yet don’t select them. Let everyone work for the azzurri. There are potential 50 players who can make the cut easily imo, I hope he selects the ones who are pushing the hardest. While the genious of a Cassano on the team is necessary, I think positions like CB and CDM which don’t require excessive talent should be fair game, those that push the hardest and play the best should be given opportunity. Example, if Chiellini has an awful year next year, why select him, especailly if Ranochia has a great one capish?

Final thought, I’d also like to see a healthy D’Agostino, Ranocchia, Santacroce given shots on this team. I believe that D’Agostino had he been healthy would have gone to south africa over a montolivo.

for my above comment relate talet to creativity. All players on the pitch should have talent or else we’d be fielding an Italian Toronto FC

Maldini and Nesta yes. But you’re forgettin the Godfather: Baresi.

Dino, Cannavaro was sublime in 2006 and for the youth team. He was a leader. You’re right.

But because he was great then doesn’t excuse him from going medieval on everyone’s asses. I for one have been disappointed with his comments. And yes, I did not believe he belonged on the team starting way back in 2007 when it was clear he was spent.

Legend for sure but it was over for him and it was time to pass the torch over. His lack of pace did him in. His mind knew where it wanted to go but just didn’t have the legs. He refused to accept this.

Re: Cassano

DeRossi pointed out cassano doesn’t score, but the strikers on the azzurri score lots of goals. In hindsight I reckon DeRossi is eating his words now. No one ever said this guy was a class act anyway.

But, you’re comparing, IL CAPITANO to DeRossi, DeRossi is an average run of the mill player, but IL CAPITANO is the guardian of the Azzurri. The Team he cried for, the team he came over to Juventus and fucked up our season for! IL CAPITANO should not be talking even remotely about cassano right now.

About Cassano and Euro 2004 and 2008. Cassano scored a very memorable goal in euro 04 which won Italy the game. Had he been called upon earlier you never know what could have happened. Instead the Trap decided it be more productive to take all of our strikers off the field, and rely heavily on a spit weilding Totti to orchestrate the Azzurri.

In 2008, Cassano had no intregration into the team. While players like Cannavaro are regularly called, Cassano was only called for the tournament. I don’t know if some of you play sports, but it does take time to integrate yourself into the team and develope chemistry. Donadoni was changing things so many times that chemistry was obviously never developed and we went out. But, let’s also point out that in the little time Cassano did play in the tournament, he played out of position and still executed the game plan brilliantly, THROW THE BALL AT LUCA TONI’s HEAD! Oh I can still see Luca Toni Blocking Grosso’s shot against Spain! How luca Toni continued on the Azzurri for another year is completely beyond me lol!

Also, I agree if Firefly, well said. No one is knocking his 2006 and previous form, abilities, or class. Far from it. It’s the last four years which he’s completely gone off the wall.

But again, as coach/manager/Fruit of Knowledge in Calcio Senior Lippi should have recognized this and not call him. In the meantime, lippi had 2 years to find a suitable replacement. That’s where the next part of a topic comes into play. Before we can predict prandelli, who scouts these players? Who goes to these games and helps lippi in selection. In other sports, you have a scouting staff stationed everywhere, on the national team, who does this job, how many people and so forth. please someone don’t tell me it was just lippi that did this.

About Giovinco. Good point about Gila, Pirlo and Canna when referencing the ages they started for the senior team.

http://www.sportsperspectives.com/archives/3418

Firefly
umm Scirea, Gentile, Facchetti ?

Giovinco needs to get out of Juventus – but not to BARI! Come on Fiorentina, get the wallet out!

Bari aren’t great, but it’s better than nothing at least!!! At least he’ll get plenty of playing time

where did this Bari report come from? Any truth? or speculation, last I’ve heard he is choosing between 4 or so teams. One of them is likely Udinese.

All legends for sure but isn’t Baresi considered to tower above them all? I could be wrong.

I wonder who the Aussie equivalent is to such players.

I wonder.

Here’s the Giovinco to Bari story:
http://www.football-italia.net/jun27r.html

If you think about it, there is a good amount of young talent around, teams just tend to loan the guys out or not play them. After the WC is over, I might talk to the offside bloggers and try and get a series of posts going on youth players around Italy, because there are more guys than we know about.

run of the mill player? ok ya he didn’t have a great world cup..but not anymore than the rest of his team. just you all know how he can play, and how he has played for roma and azzurri. so don’t eat your words in 2/4 years time when he’s hitting his prime.

and i realize the irony of me saying that…after having put ALL my faith in lippi lol

lol… he obviously isn’t a run of the mill. let’s just say, slightly above run of the mill lol. in truth his performances for the azzurri have been average (azzurri standards) However, he did sport a stunning beard. Had they won the world cup, or carried out longer in this tourney I would have grown such a proud mane around my face as well, unfortunately all that remains is a slight stubble

dino, once you take cannavaro’s dick out of your mouth and lippi’s out of your ass, you might actually be a notch closer to talking any sense.

the juve apologists are out in full force, i see.

I think [is it because I'm a romanista] that people sometimes easily label roma players as caring more for their club than their country. A prime example was Totti, and more recently, DDR. While I still believe the contrary, this is still up for debate.

Well, since all’s been part of history by now, lets just list up homework that needs to be done by the players.

Marco, before the world cup started De rossi also he was afraid that lippi didn’t pick any creative players. Might have been after the Paraguay game actually. Im pretty sure he just doesn’t want to say anything bad about his teammates when interviewed. “It was my man to mark”, “Pirlo is the greatest mid in the world”, “Our forwards are great players”, etc

So who will be the first drunken Aussie or Zealander to come in here and suggest Italy plays like Brazil? Which I imagine includes the shameless diving and feigning of Fabiano, Lucio and Maicon…of course.

Firefly,

I’m an American who has lived in Sicily and Ireland before…no Aussie/Kiwi blood in me, either. You have it backwards, man. 2010 Brazil plays A LOT like classic Italy. Great defesne, great goalkeeping, brilliant on set pieces, counter-attacking well, tactical but not-so-pretty attack…

ndcolin,

Backwards? I was just making a tongue in cheek joke about people come here saying should do this and that. Something I should stop doing. Heh.

Not that anyone knows or cares, but I’m on record on the BC sports site and on local radio (I did work as an analyst for a local radio show. I know, hilarious but the ratings were good) as saying Brazil was moving towards a classical approach to soccer in the Italian mould way before it was being discussed. I also wrote a piece about how, before Dunga, Brazilian beautiful soccer was a thing of the past and compared Italian and Brazilian soccer in the process.

Call me a pioneer. Cough. Actually, pundits still don’t see how Italian their style is. I’ve also been writing elsewhere that Brazil’s strengths lie at the back. Their progress stems from there and not the middle like it traditionally has. At one point during the Chile game there were 8 Brazilians protecting the goal. You can’t get more Italian than that. The only difference is Brazil still adheres to ball possession. Italy’s offense schemes were predicated (mostly) by pure counter-attack.

In fact, Brazil’s defense historically is under rated.

So I don’t disagree at all.

Great points by Firefly, Marco, Paolo (the other one lol) and so many others. Especially regarding the FIGC and Fifa. How anyone is still thinking that lippi is not 100% to blame i have no idea??? If anyone disagrees with that or wants to overlook this cup and remember Lippi and Cannavaro for 2006, please try to tell me why this was not 100% Lippis fault. Because it absolutely is and should not be ignored by any of us Italians.

Ok. Please allow me to raise another insane criticism against Italy by the haters: We get easy paths to the final. Yeah, like Germany and Brazil don’t get easy draws.

Anyone gonna complain that Brazil got Chile and Holland got Slovakia?

Hey, this is fun. It’s like the “if Bush had done that…” exercise vis-a-vis that authoritarian Obama.

Also regarding De Rossi: He is controversial. He can be brilliant or he can be bad. The same can be said for a lot of Italian players. De Rossi was on the whole time and when he’s playing bad there are many capable substitutes of filling his role. Of course the substitutes were wasted on gattuso and stupid strikers who did fuck all so he had to stay on. What a joke. But really what was De Rossi’s job, score? Defend? he was trying to do both and yes he did play poorly at certain points but again he played great at others. That’s because he had the weight of a shit team on his shoulders. Cannavaro: DEFEND! that’s it! Strikers: SCORE! that’s it! He was trying to do it all cuz he had to.

Sincerely,
Lippi’s Fault

Tell us how you really feel Paolo!

De Rossi was an island onto himself!

Blatter is a jerk-off. Controversy is good for soccer? Heck, they’ve basically lost me as a fan with all this bush league crap that’s happened in South Africa.Soccer is second rate right now for its inablity to modernize.

2010 better be careful or else it’ll be bigger bull as 2002.

De Rossi was one of our best players at Euro ‘08. “Average run of the mill player”? Yeah, right..

italy would have beaten the nederlands today thats whats so frustrating about not going through and picking old players and not players in form.

italy could have defended this world cup with the right picks and a manager who was not past his best

Firefly, I totally agree with you about the bullshit calls that have happened regularly throughout this tournament. Of course everyone knows there will always be missed calls in any sport, but FIFA has the ability to easily correct the majority of the missed calls and chooses not to! I wouldn’t want it to become like American Football where some games you watch in the last couple of minutes they are reviewing almost every play…. just review the f’n goals! How hard is that? There is no guarantee that Argentina for instance wouldn’t have won their game yesterday, but who’s to say? A call like that BS offside goal by Higauin completely changes the game. If I was Mexican I would be pissed! They have enough camera angles around the penalty area now that these calls could be conclusively decided upon within half a minute. The Lampard goal in the first game obviously went in as well. Blatter needs to pull his head out of his ass!

DDR often plays poor when the team plays poor because he tries to do too much. When this happens he has a hard time even doing the simple things. You can’t blame a man for trying too hard.

I agree with the comment that this WC has turned me off from watching football. The problems that have happened are nothing short of ridiculous. The only thing I want is fair play. I think that is what the players and the fans deserve. What was the point in having the extra linesmen in the Europa tourney? Those extra eyes could have made all the difference at the WC. Why does the ball need to be messed with and not how the game is officiated? Should we go back to using a bloated goat’s stomach?

Cannavaro was our captain when we won in 2006. He’s an amazing defender and we would be lucky to get another one of his caliber in the years to come. His contributions to the national team should not be forgotten because a mistake on a goal when the whole team looked mediocre. His contributions to the national team outweigh those of Nesta at least. Nesta went missing every time we needed him; in 1998 he got injured at the critical moment and we lost to France. In 2006, he missed most of the tournament. Maldini’s captaincy was a time of failure and disappointment: 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. Maldini was at fault for South Korea’s goal in 2002 because he got beaten to the ball by the South Korean player and we were eliminated back then due to the golden rule. I don’t remember people blasting him for his mistake and saying that he should have retired when he was no longer able to play in his preferred left full back position. I think Cannavaro should be admired for his desire to play for his country, unless some players that wanted to be begged to return and still did not (yes, I’m talking about you Nesta!).

I love Ghana’s team! I have been pulling for them since I watched all of their games in 2006. Obviously I did not know much about many of their players till then. To me they truly embody everything I love about football, to see a country of 23 M producing this amount of talent is incredible. I was born in the US and much to my friends disliking I never pull for the US unless they are facing any European team besides Italy or Ireland.
Uruguay is next. I know they can win this game. After that it is going to be hell to make it any further…..

Ah, bashing of Cannavaro time is it? On the record, I like FCanna, although i think PCanna should have gotten the nod over him for the WC. I am disappointed in his performance, but if the coach picks you, ya go out and try your best.

I agree some of his, erm, comments have not the most tactfull to say the least. But he still has been a loyal Azzurri player since the mid 90’s, has gone thru the highs and lows, and still captained the side to WC glory.

Are Cabrini and Scirea being smacked because they were on the crap 1986 team? No, they are remembered as great Azzurri players. And as the diappointment in this WC eases, so should the harsh critique of FCanna.

Forza Azzurri and grazie Capitano[ and Gattuso, Zambrotta, etc...]

Neo, your points are well made….although there were not forums such as this in the time frame you are talking about in which anyone and everyone could sound off their opinion’s right or wrong. I honestly do not think any player who served their country well should be up for court martial here. Let their legacy fall where it may. I know its really hard right now but we have to move on. Lets enjoy the game, if the refs let us, Go Black Stars!

Lippi deserves the criticism and abuse and in my opinion he’s not getting enough of it. Some ppl have came out and said well at least he said it was his fault. Yes he said that by trying to divert attention from what he really did wrong. He said it’s his fault because his players went into the games with fear. Not for not picking a bad team or 90% of the real reasons…

The comments from those who say he led us to glory in 2006 we should not bash him for this. Absolutely ridiculous! Lippi played a part in masterminding 2006 with a very strong group of players who were extremely motivated from being fucked over in recent World Cups and growing together over the scandal in Italy. That combined with a relatively easy road to the finals made it somewhat hard to have a disaster unfold (which almost did in the Australia game, USA game, and the potential was there in the penalty shoot out against france). The point is that Lippi did win the WC for us but there was much more than him that took the title. We shared the Glory with him and we praised him for the acheivement.

He has now led us to the biggest disaster in Italian world cup history as the World Champions. We didn’t defend our crown, we laid down and let the other teams fuck us as they pleased. It was a disgrace. And we did it with one of the worst squads in Itaian history. So why should lippi not take shit? Why should he not come under attack for his actions? This wasn’t the case of a coach doing and picking his best to successfully defend the most prestigious title in the world. This was the case of an arrogant, stubborn bastard giving no hope, excitement or pride to the fans. And when i say he arrogantly he did this I mean it….

You had media ripping him and calling for change. Fans running across the field during games with Cassano tshirts on. And ppl like us here going crazy trying to figure out why this was happening. Yet we were all forced for two years to watch Italy put in mediocre and shit performances as the Champions. We had to watch our asses handed to us at the Confederations Cup. We had to suck it all up and hope for change. This is the video of Lippi after a game where he was disgusted with how angry the fans were for having to watch this bullshit, along with some clear arrogance towards the Italian ppl….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N30LrebiQ4

He did not learn from the Confederation Cup as has been said by all of us over and over again. He never once tried to call up Cassano Balotelli Miccoli etc and yes there’s a long list of others in or around the same class. Where was the preparation for this team? No wins in 2010, a lucky qualifying campaign against weak opponents and NO CHANGE after all of this!! Instead he made us choke right up to the day when we got to see him exclude the only hopefuls we wanted in the team. A couple of shit friendlies before the world cup which we did not win and he actually spent the games in the world cup TESTING formations. Now call me crazy but this is the ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM. You should be heading into a World Cup with a definitive game plan, with backup plans galore. Players out of position, terrible formations, substitutes wasted unnecessarily, and the refusal to start any of the better players who were on the bench, no team spirit (with the exception of the national anthem), and no team chemistry!!!

Many ppl on this blog called this. Especially Marco with the group stage prediction. And there’s a reason why? We could all see it, but Lippi couldn’t? Ask yourself how the “MASTER TACTICIAN” could not see what we did?

And has for him being our hero in 2006, how do most ppl remember Zidane: a headbutt on matterazzi. Despite having a brilliant career that’s what will come to mind when you think of Zidane. Lippi in my mind, suffers the same fate.

I agree 1000% Lippi is the golden hen that laid the golden egg in 2006 and since then he is the hen running around with his head cut off. Lets move on. Even though the cup is still on, we have the future.

Paolo. I think denying or trying to reduce Lippi’s role in our 2006 victory is ridiculous. Lippi’s team went unbeaten for over 30 games if I remember correctly and this record only ended when we lost to Brazil 2-0 in Wembley last year. No it wasn’t just because of the scandal that we won; Lippi created a great team from 2004 to 2006 and it was evident that we would do great when we started trashing big teams like Germany and Netherlands before the World Cup. Compare that work to the work of Donadoni over two years and you’ll see the difference in quality. And I disagree with you when you say we had an easy path to the final — we played in the strongest group and beat very good teams with 2 goal margins (Ghana and Czech). As for Australia, let’s not forget that we had Materazzi wrongfully sent off in that game and still won — I don’t think you can call that easy. we then trashed Ukraine 3-0 with ease and sent the home country out. France only scored against us with dubious penalty and we have a Toni goal wrongly disallowed. So please stop with this argument that it was a piece of cake to win it in 2006. We deserved it and earned it, and Lippi deserves much praise for his work.

Neo 2006 was my proudest moment as an Italian. I said “relatively easy road to the final” because we could have had much bigger super powers in our way. Trust me you don’t need to prove to me what happened in Germany. I’m merely pointing out all the things that were behind us besides Lippi. And there was a lot!!!! Primarily a strong group of players/superstars. The 2006 squad would make any coach look good.

And Lippi did get praise for his work! But he deserves the same for his work this time around. Thats my point.

Paolo, I agree with large parts of what you say.

-Lippi did make the right changes and tactical adjustments throughout 2006. He was basically perfect. His pulse of the team was impeccable.
-All paths are relatively “easy” in every World cup and that goes for all countries. You’re not going to meet the powers in each stage. You’ll meet all sorts of teams – Johnny Come Lately’s like New Zealand who you’ll likely never see again, traditional world class minnows who makes the wc but rarely advance deep (like Mexico), super powers (if you don’t get seeded), and teams who happen to be on form leading up to the WC but aren’t necessarily powers (make your choice here whoever fits that description).
-The 2006 and 1986 teams will soon be forgotten. By 1990 Italy finished 3rd, finalists in 94 and quarter finalists in 98. 2002 they would have reached the quarters easily. 2006 they won. 2010 they crashed. Time for a new cycle. I just wish they were more stable like Germany and Brazil.
-But like he should be respected for 2006, Lippi deserves full culpability and criticism in 2010. As it’s been repeated over and over, he refused to acknowledge the existence of players on better form than the spent bodies he stubbornly clinged on to. I mean really, anyone could see by watching Juventus half that team was finished. They were terrible. Yet six players were chosen from that team? Three I can see, but the other three absolutely not. And I do reject outright the notion there weren’t players to replace them. My God, it was full. Shit, Boriello would have been a marked improvement from Iaquinta. He at least was on form and had a decent year.
-At least Lippi stuck by his guns and players until the end.

It’s tough to accept because the field is truly mediocre. Holland is playing excessively pragmatic and don’t seem interested in playing their normal style, Brazil is all defense with competent forwards (I say competent because that attack can be stopped), Germany is Germany and beatable with the right frame of mind (England have attitude problems; at 3-1 they were done), Portugal is not devasting and Spain’s fury has subsided and have problems at the back and in the middle and can be exploited. Heck, Italy SHOWED how to beat Spain in 2008. Argentina is the only one that looks truly awesome. To me anyway.

In the past, Germany, Holland, Argentina an Brazil and even France were all far and beyond the best sides along with Italy. Not so much anymore. Still, the quarters will feature most of these teams and not Italy.

Cazzo.

The 2006 squad would make any coach look good.

This is simply not true. There were lots of players in that squad who would not be tagged “World Class” by any means. Undermining Lippi’s role in 2006 is nothing short of blindness. If anything, Lippi’s role in 2006 victory was far greater than in a coach’s role in most other WC winning squads.

But he deserves the same for his work this time around.

And why do you think that is not the case now? I can’t read Italian papers. Are they not criticizing Lippi enough?

All in all, I would happily take a World Cup and a first round exit than, say, two semi-finals. But hey.. if you want to go hang Cannavaro and Lippi by testicles, go ahead. And be sure to add Bearzot, Gentile, Paolo Rossi and other champions from the 1982 squad.

Comrade,

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well done!!!

Who was it that said that the reason De Rossi made so many mistakes is because he was trying too hard??? That is hilarious!!! Thanks for that comic relief. I love this blog. Always good for a laugh…

I’m not undermining Lippis role. I’m stating that he is not a god and we praised him for 2006. Going forward he made us look like idiots. Yes he did win a WC but he still fucked us afterwards because of his blindness. He humiliated Italians. There was a lot to fire us up in 2006 and that had a large hand in giving us the world cup. And as far as the comment i made “he deserves the same for his work this time around”…no alot of ppl like Dino are stating that it’s not all his fault. Or other comments like the players fucked up. The point I’m making is that he vastly tarnished his rep and should get the same bad treatment for his massive arrogant failure that he got good for his glory. No Italian should be supportive in any way of this prick.

And Dino as for De Rossi, i didn’t say he made mistakes because he was trying too hard. I said that his role was a big one caught in between defense and attack. Our strikers did fuck all and he tried to make a difference. Caught in two minds if you will. I don’t praise the guy and I don’t think he had a great tournament by any means. And he can be somewhat of a liability on the national team. But had a certain dumb fuck given him one role to play with a proper team around him, I believe he would be much better. And if he wasn’t good we would be able to sub him. Oh wait Lippi fucked that up too.

And Dino for someone who “couldn’t have said it better himself”….

You seem to have a lot of comments posted about how the youth is not good enough and that certain players wouldn’t have made a difference. Grosso is not “world class” by any means. He had one great tournament and was the difference in 2006. But I guess if he wasn’t there it wouldn’t matter

This article was on goal.com the day after the loss to Slovakia. For those who seem to already forget, I thought I would post it. Enjoy…

Finally, the agony is over.

There is nothing more frustrating than watching a disaster unfold when there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Since August 2008 when Marcello Lippi returned to the Azzurri bench with an embarrassing 2-2 draw against an atrocious Austria side in Nice, we all knew that the 2010 World Cup was going to be a complete unadulterated calamity unless some serious changes were made.

You all know what the changes should have been, and when it became clear that Lippi had no intention of making them then we had to painfully sit back and die a slow death.

Thankfully, the nightmare has come to a close.

It is for the best that Italy were eliminated this afternoon. Had they progressed to the next round to play the Netherlands they would have been torn apart by three or four goals.

Lippi owes the whole of Italy a grovelling apology, delivered on his hands and knees. He will forever remain a legend – although some may disagree now – for masterminding the 2006 World Cup success but his management before and during South Africa is completely unforgivable. A World Cup only comes around once every four years, and the people of Italy at the very least deserved to watch a team that had a chance of achieving something.

Lippi prevented this with his selfish and stubborn squad selection – omitting Antonio Cassano due to a personal feud, excluding Fabrizio Miccoli because he testified against Luciano Moggi, keeping washed-up veterans in the squad such as Rino Gattuso because of friendship, and the political grievances go on and on.

The ex-Juventus boss wanted to “create history” and repeat the achievements of coach Vittorio Pozzo who won back-to-back World Cups in the 1930s. Well, the 62-year-old certainly created history. He instigated the biggest World Cup finals humiliation in Italy’s history, finishing bottom of the weakest pool the Azzurri have ever been in – with no wins and just two points. He also created more history, as this 2008-2010 team is undoubtedly the worst Italy side for at least 50 years.

While I could sit here and criticise the players – explaining how Cannavaro & Zambrotta are too old, Iaquinta can’t strike a ball without miss-hitting it, De Rossi’s national team is Roma, Montolivo flinches at his own shadow – it is Lippi who must take ALL the blame.

It will be interesting to see if he returns home and faces the public – and more than a few rotten tomatoes – like a man, or shies away with a private jet like a few of the disgraced France players this morning.

The world champions are out, now it is time to forget two years of depression and look forward to a new era under Cesare Prandelli who – if nothing else – will at least pick his players based on performance and not politics.

Paolo,

I say the youth is not good enough, because as we have pointed out, most of them don’t even play for their club teams. How can you bring a player like Balotelli or Santon or Motta or Giovinco to the world cup when they hardly play??? Some of the other young players that actually have the luxury of playing for their club teams, lack any big game experience as very few of them play for a big club. Playing in European competitions helps replicate the feeling of playing on the big stage of the World Cup.
In the end, Lippi decided to go with a mix of young and old for this World Cup. Obviously, it didn’t work out. As I pointed out, I just dont know how you could justify choosing most of these young players considering they either dont play or they lack any big game experience.
Personally, I dont question Lippi’s player selections as much as I question his tactical decisions. Constantly changing formations and using certain players in the wrong position is what irritated me the most.
I also think there is too much focus on the coach and the old guard players. What about the players that were in their prime??? Players like De Rossi and even Chiellini did not play well. They both made numerous mental errors that had nothing to do with Lippi’s “Tactics”.
This Italian team is not nearly as bad as they showed in these 3 games. I think it was basically a combination of 3 things that led to this poor performance:
1. The players in their prime (De Rossi, Chiellini) did not play well.
2. Lippi’s tactical errors.
3. Key injuries to Buffon and Pirlo just before the tournament.
I gues the stars were alligned against the Azzurri this time around. I cant imagine the Azzurri having this bad of a tournament in a long, long time.
The first order of business is to get the clubs to start playing these promising young Italian players. This will make Prandelli’s job that much easier. The clubs definitely didn’t make it easy for Lippi.

Lippi left our best players at home. All of Italy has been saying that since the 23 was announced and the chorus is now a deafening roar from Piedmont to Palermo. Those who don’t question Lippi’s selection would be getting laughed out of Italia.

Prandelli is going to bring in our most talented footballers that ALREADY play, never mind age: Cassano, Miccoli, Poli, Aquilani, Santon, Balotelli, Rossi, De Silvestri (dominating performances in the champions league this season) … they’re all in the mix with a host of others and many already have played massive CL games at Old Trafford, the Bernabeau, Camp Nou, you name it.

Pepe, Camoranesi, Iaquinta et al … these names are worthless in comparison. Marchisio is young but he was woeful this season for Juventus. Shouldn’t have been on the plane, let alone a starting trequartista in the opening game lmaooooooooo!

Poli is a genius CM and he started all year for a team that finished 4th. He had a blinding season at Samp, one of their major catalysts, 20-years-old and took midfields apart while Palombo hustled and bustled next to him. I defy anyone to tell me a better central midfielder aged TWENTY in Europe than Poli. He doesn’t exist.

It’s a GROSS MYTH that there’s no talent. We’re loaded in Italy with players, young, mid twenties, all of the above.

As Bruno Giordano said, “For some reason we left them all at home.”

I am not Italian, but my favourite team since 1982 is Italy, the reason behind is because of Paolo Rossi. He do is job perfectly in that tournament, eventhough he only shine or back to form after the group stage he did his job when the team needs him. Another Italian player inspired me was Roberto Baggio played for 3 world cups, on form at 1994 USA eventhough he carried hamstring problem, he did create miracles even he missed penalty during shoot-out. The most confident fullback that I can bet on and have seen was Franco Baresi, very cautious player.

Reviewing back this year Italian world cup squad, I am very sorry to say that the players are lack of energy to score goals. I mean Italy is not new to football, there should not be a problem to score goal or play football, the strikers are not making any rooms to score perhaps waiting for luck to be on their side which is very shameful. They says they need a player like Pirlo to do the job in midfield, what’s that mean only Pirlo can do the job for Italian, there is no other players in Italy. Italy is a country that should produce football players profusely.

When I watch Itlay first match against Paraguay, I can see this team is not the same as 2006 squad, eventhough most of the players and the coach is same. They are blank don’t know what to do next when get the ball, movement are very slow and at last lose the ball easily. No one in the squad are skillful players like Roberto Baggio or Alessandro Del Piero. All are kick and run players which we use the same strategy when teach the primary school to win a game.

Anyhow, the players give their best only last 10 minutes of 3 matched that they played. Drew with Paraguay at least I can except because it’s the opening game, but the result against New Zealand is definitely shame. With that result I felt heartbroken looking at my dream team crashed into pieces. But why the result does not look positive, is it the players like Camonaresi or Gattuso are useless or because the coach have no strategy to play against opponents.

Looking at the way the create scoring opportunity is ridiculous, example is when they cross from right side or left side flank they will be only 1 or 2 players in the box and surrounded by 5 opponents players. With this how to win the ball. Through passing is not working for the Italians in this competition at all. The reason is strikers not able to run for it. No creativeness at all. Another strategy, when playing long ball, players able to control which is good but anyhow lost it when don’t know what to do next at last they will kick the ball back to defender keep the ball position which is not helping the team to get points. The team and the coach forgot that scoring goals and not letting goals only will earn them points to qualify.

My dream looking at the Italians to level 5 times champions Brazil shattered after Slovakians scored their 3 goals.

Dino said that, young players are not well experience when comes to world cup, but I think we don’t need experience player to win the world cup, the experience players is only needed when the team needs miracle to happen, and if you said this squad is an experience squad than I would say even the miracle did not happen here with the ageing players.I believe the Italian football committee will re-organised the squad for another major tournament which will be held in Ukraine and Poland in 2 years times. I plead to the football committee to bring on young energytic players who wants to play to win, not play to boost for publicity.

Dino, it’s funny you say “even chiellini” made mistakes. He’s a lanky clown. He’d be nowhere near my national team.

Daddio, that’s a great list. I really like Poli, he’s skillful, strong and can spot a pass. If he adds goals to his game, he’ll be right up there with the best attacking midfielders around. I hope Samp don’t lose Pazzini and actually add a few players, allowing Cassano, Poli, Palombo and Pazzini to show what they can do against the big teams in Europe.

I reckon Candreva would fit in well at Samp.

Anyone know if Samp have picked up any players already or are eyeing some up?

i have recovered a bit today after all the drinking after 24th debacle..it makes sense, this humiliation will do us good…no more canna..zambrotta..pepe..camoranesi..iaquinta..dinatale..
the fresh news and the heartining factor is that guys like santon, lanzafame, paloschi, rossi guiseppe, balotelli, cassano, bonnucci, rannocchia, de silvestri,giovinco(quit the old lady mate!!),Poli, de rossi, aquilani, sirigu, buffon, Gilardino( sorry guys, he is not a messi or a Ronaldo, but he will finish the chances if he is set up…..he will be there), Quagliarella( What might have been if Lippi had started him on the left instead of tinkering with Iaquinta, Dinatale, pepe..)..Pirlo showed that he is world class, what an impact he had…we could have smacked Holland…iam regretting what might have been..if Lippi..if Lippi..
http://www.football-italia.net/jun29i.html
Legra will monitor our next rock..

Beacause of Lippi the Italy blog was blown off the front page of this site. It took me several minutes to find it.

Dino, again, I agree with the basic tenets but that’s part of the point fans are angry about: the youth don’t play on the big clubs and it’s not because they’re no good. Even the the tifosi of those clubs can’t figure it out. If they weren’t good enough, so be it, everyone would accept it but anyone can see that Diego is not an upgrade from Giovinco. In fact, Giovinco has the better upside why not use him?

Balotelli and Santon should get playing time if they don’t there’s something seriously wrong in Italy.

As for the rest who are lucky enough (up to a point I guess) to play for mid-table teams, they get to start, but the “big club” bias seems to remain so they get overlooked. It’s almost as if an allenatore says, “Wo, we already have a player from Palermo! We can’t have three! What? Cagliari? No way! A Juve player at 50% is better than a player from Napoli!”

Once upon a time Italian coaches were allergic to playing their top two strikers at the same time. They over coached. This player, couldn’t, shouldn’t. play with that player. Play your BEST. And Lippi changed that mentality a little. In Germany he threw three forwards in if he had to.

Where I break with you Dino, and I think you’re completely wrong (sorry), is there’s no talent because they don’t start. That’s a structural, philosophical issue because the talent is clearly there. I’d actually go as far as to say it’s better than the class of 2006.

Balotelli and Giovinco are players that can potentially be game changers. Giovinco in particular, based on how he controls the ball alone, can be Italy’s Messi. And he plays with bite.

Juve have signed bonucci and reportedly close to getting motto. This is exciting news and I hope we see them play regularly

The troubles with Italian football comes down to one comparison. Messi v. Giovinco. I’ve heard it thrown around for the last three years,
Giovinco is the Italian Messi”

Messi: 24 June 1987 (1987-06-24) (age 23)
Height 1.69 m

Giovinco: January 26, 1987 (1987-01-26) (age 23)
Height 1.64 m

Look at where they are both at in terms of their Career. Interesting when you think about it isn’t it.

Dino great job taking something out of context you hack.

For the record I have been an advocate of Giovinco getting regular playing time at Juventus, I’m also of the thought that by Juventus getting rid of him they’d be making a monumental mistake, not to mention I am holding out hope that whatever becomes of seba giovinco, I believe prandelli should select regardless of field time or club. He’s a huge talent and we’ve wasted him for the likes of Diego a guy who couldn’t even cut the brazilian national team… Pathetic.

“I defy anyone to tell me a better central midfielder aged TWENTY in Europe than Poli. He doesn’t exist.”

Daddio, I’m a huge Poli fan as well, but I think you’re stretching it a bit. I think a lot of you guys are over-valuing the talent of some of these players.
As good as Poli is, when is the last time you saw the Azzurri bring a 20 year old to the world cup? It rarely happens. This has nothing to do with Lippi. This is the Italian football mentality. Italians are renowned for their belief in selecting players that are a little older. This is the basic difference between Italy and England for example. England has always sent players to these major tournaments who are very young. Has England been very successful in these tournaments??? Thats a resounding NO!!! England always relies on these promising young players, but when its tournament time, they crack under the pressure.
So, dont go telling me that Lippi is at fault for not selecting these young players. Its part of the philosophy of Italian football. Go back and look at the rosters in Italian World Cup history to see how old these players are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totti

I stand absolutely corrected, my apologies to Lippi. He left a 635 year old Totti at home (so he isn’t a proponent of too much excessive experience). So, considering all things the Azzurri were relatively young

“I believe prandelli should select regardless of field time or club.”
WTF? really??

Forzaroma, yes, only for Giovinco.

Firefly is right.

We can praise Lippi for what he did in 2006 and deride him for what he gave us this year. 2 totally separate things, 2 separate reactions. You can’t not criticise a man just because of what he did in the past. The past is history.

Dino, Neo, etc.

On DDR as a player: DDR is an incredible player, for both country and club. True he did make some big errors. True he was responsible for us coming back from being down in 2 games. This is the type of player that Italy are short of. One who has the fire and spit to fight back and push when we are behind. There are not even many other teams in this tournament that were able to push back from behind and tie or win the game. DDR offers the passion and muscle of Gattuso but with much greater skill in passing, shooting, set pieces, and off-ball intuition.

On DDR’s performance: DDR’s performance this WC did have much to be desired. he did some great things and also some very poor things. Yes, his aweful pass that landed right at the feet of Vitek was atrocious, but you cannot blame him 100% for the goal that was scored after it – the crap defense hardly responded there. His performance overall was, however very mixed, and was not up to his own standard. DDR has had a horribly difficult year with family life, a divorce and battle over his daugter, and even with Roma he has struggled in games. He needs to get past this. I am not suggesting he be picked automatically by Prandelli, but perhaps this is a man who can help DDR get back on the wagon.

Though his game this WC was not fantastic, he is a player who, in form, can bring the fantastioc, and for this he needs to always be considered.

agree 100% with mimmo.

also, re: Brazil v Italy:

i agree with much of Firefly’s analysis, though the one thing that is different is that Brazil actually do run the ball much more, taking advantage of the speed and dribbling ability of many of their players. in this way their game is really about moving through space with fluidity. the Italian game is much more about creating space (by moving different players tactically into areas to draw out the opposition) and manipulating space (mostly by passing or pass-run combinations and with players who are very flexible and have excellent passing skills and ball-intuition and can shift between the long ball and short ball game).

a good reason why we failed this cup is because we never were able to play our style as the pieces Lippi chose did not allow us to.

the players who are exceptional in today’s Italian game are Pirlo, Quagliarella (truely one of the greatest scorers in this class, able to pass, cross, shoot on point, from long distance, from in the box, play with his head, to his feet), Totti (Totti could create opportunities on goal if he were on crutches standing in one spot on the field), DelPiero, Cassano (though i do not think he is nearly as great as everyone else here does), Ballotelli, Miccoli, and to some degree DiNatale, Pazzini, Pelissier, Foggia, Guberti, and perhaps, as attacking-defenders, Santon, Motta, and Maggio.

how many of these players did Lippi bring? how many of these players did Lippi use?

i praise Lippi for what he did in 2006, but rail him for the embarrassing job he did this year. with the right players we could have gone all the way.

you guys blame DDR that much? i agree he was problematic in the Slovakia game, but pressed between a front line that couldn’t maintain possession for a minute a crumbling back wall which was barely pasted together by Chiellini, and NO MIDFIELD (Marchisio and Gattuso were invisible) his task was just too big.

Marco,

Thanks for the Totti Wikipedia.
I just realized that even Totti didn’t make his Azzurri debut until he was 23. Totti was one of the most hyped players to come out of the youth ranks, yet he didn’t get his 1st cap until he was 23. Thats the way we do things in Italy. It has nothing to do with Lippi. Now a 20 year old by the name of Andrea Poli should have been selected to the World Cup team??? Dont you think that sounds ridiculous?
By the way Marco, Totti quit the national team 4 years ago. I dont know if anyone gave you that message.

Poli os a very good, young midfielder, but he is nowhere near being ready for WC play.

look at Montolivo. thre is no doubt he has talent and ability, but he was not ready for this thing. same goes for Marchisio and Criscito – all talented, all not ready.

the bigger question is, why did Lippi select players like these over other youngsters who are better. Santon and Motta are better wing back than Criscito, Guberti is a better winger than Marchisio. Balotelli is a better striker than Gilardino.

Yes, Lippi brought some young players. he just brought the wrong ones. (and yes, i know Gilardino is 27, i am just saying …)

i guess what i am saying is, i know players like Balotelli are not necessarily ready for a WC either, but they are more ready and more skillful than the ones Lippi did pick.

Mimmo, I never said you cannot criticize Lippi. All I said is let’s not diminish the good work he did 4 years ago.

Dino, the wiki-comment pertaining to Totti had nothing to do with selecting him, but rather the incorrect information posted at wikipedia regarding Totti’s age.

Totti was selected at 23 and Del Piero at 20 and Maldini at 19 while Buffon got the nod at 19 as well. What’s your point?

Firefly,

Sorry if I misjudged your statement on the whole Brazil-Italy thing. Seems like great minds think alike

23 sounds like the right age. 20 is too young. As the SP article I linked earlier argues, Giovinco missed a chance to gain experience and must wait until he’s 27 now. If he pans out like we think he should, it will be a lost four years – unless he goes to Euro.

Gio, very well put about Bra v. Ita.

Balan, I hear ya.

Anyone believe Blatter would apologize to Italy if they were screwed that way? Anyone thinks Hiddink would have spoken out if Italy was screwed?

Thought not.

About the cheaters. Looks like Italy had some company, first among them, Brazil.

http://www.fantasycheatersleague.com/blog/
http://www.sportsperspectives.com/archives/3429

By the way, am I missing something about how to find this thread? I had to do a search on the front page.

Sheesh.

i can get on board with that, neo

i hope it didn’t seem like i was trying to diminish ‘06

Abete of FIGC must hand in his resignation just the same as the President of the French Football Federation. Italy must rebuild its football and that goes to begin with the Head and refurbish the infrastructure; the stadia, the people in charge, demonstrate a powerful youth system so future can be bright.
I as a fan of Italian football especially Azzurri, I demand major changes.
I see the players of Germany, Netherlands & Argentina how good they are performing, I ask what do they have that Italy does’nt? Players; Italia is full of talented players, Coaches; Italia’s coaches are the best of the best in tactics and decipline. The concerned parties of Italian football; owners, directors, coaches and players must understand it is time to wake up and shape up or else sadly speaking Italy football will be the laughing stock of world football. Take care dudes.

Marco,

Dont tell me you’re comparing Poli to players like Del Piero, Maldini and Buffon. If you paid attention to my earlier post, you will see that I said “Rarely” do the Azzurri select young players. I didn’t say “Never”. Del Piero, Maldini and Buffon came thru the youth ranks with such high expectations that it was impossible to keep them off the National Team. You cant tell me that Poli garners the same kind of class and pedigree as those other 3 players.

Dino, what on earth are you talking about man. When did I reference Poli? Listen, I know you like me, but this obsession is getting out of hand

Reference/Forward your remarks to those speaking about Poli please.

Marco,when giovinco was young enough,he featured for u23 even when he wasnt playing much and yet he wasnt fantastic enough to get his senior debut,and now,when he is most likely not in top form and he surprisingly couldnt convince 3 different coaches to start him,you still think he must get an automatic chance?

@Firefly – an easy way to get to this blog, just type:

italy.worldcupblog.org

Thanks.

Gio, further questions:

1) I wonder which style is more popular with the masses.
2) Which of the powers are most likely to play like Italy or Brazil? If any.
3) Are some hybrids? Like Argentina? France?
4) How do you size up the likes of Germany, Holland?

forzaroma, yes! in short.

All giovinco requires is a little faith to build his confidence. I’m sure someone can help me here but what was Juve’s record last season when Giovinco played? I believe they went undefeated in a season that they achieved a historic number of loses.

Fact is, even his final game for Juventus, he came in and was monumentally influential. The fact that he was unable to start under Ferrara and Zaccheroni don’t bother me, they’re both hacks as their records demonstrate to us. But even under ranieri, as the season neared its climax, he was playing giovinco more and more.

Marco- I know you mean well, but a lot of what you just posted is inaccurate. I’m all for Gio getting more space too. I didn’t look up the stats, but I know for a fact that Juve was not undefeated when Gio played, the 2-3 loss to Napoli comes to mind. Why Ferrara (and Ranieri) didn’t play him more is a mystery, but Gio of 09-10 wasn’t as effective as 08-09, where he was awesome in virtually every game he played.

Other two notes-
#1- Under Zaccheroni, Gio was injured almost constantly. Never really had a chance to play him, he was out for 2 months when he first arrived, healthy for a few weeks (though still recovering from a thigh injury, CZanetti can tell you rushing that is a poor idea) and then was out from early March for the rest of the season. So one case where Zac actually doesn’t have much blame.
#2- Ranieri didn’t play Gio more and more as the season went on…in fact less. Nedved’s scoring record towards the end of the season was truly impressive, and that was all the reason (and Nedved’s looming retirement) to bench Gio.

Zaccheroni and Zebina.

I’ll never understand how they’re still around. Zebina in particular.

Marco,i also want gio to do well for azzurri,but i could have agreed with your statements if we had miccoli,totti,cassano,rossi there in SA but still would have crashed out early (like we actually did)
but they have not been there,so this was not the maximum performance of today’s azzurri and we dont need a completely new,young squad with new faces(unlike england lol) and gio,with his condition now,does not deserve a call-up like balo
in short,lets see what can cassano,rossi,etc give this team now,if there will still be problems,then there must be a revolution in attack line

1. i think the Brazilian “samba” style is probably more popular world wide just because the flair is more obvious to notice in the form of faints, stepovers, dribbling tricks, etc., but the Italian game is more appealing as an “intellectuals’” game, watching the tactics unfold with spaces being opened with backheels and flicks and players exploiting the space more like a chess game.

2,3,4. of course the two examples are a bit poalrised; Italy does have some players who have great ball skill and speed, and Brazil are also capable of manipulating space. Germany has another type of game which is more rigidly tactical, similar to the Italian game, but more about pressing forward in an organised way, more playing through space than manipulating space. one of France’s problems, besides being highly overrated, is that they do not have a coherent style of play (neither did we this WC, but France has always had this problem) and relies then on playmaker types, similar to Brazil, but they lack the cohesiveness as a team. where Brazil have great player inter-communication, France do not. England also falls short in this way. the game styles of Argentina, Holland and Spain are more like Italy overall, but have some slight variation,but there are other variables involved and ultimately in my opinion, teams which are more flexible and have more of an ability to combine the two have a better chance of going far. Argentina and Holland being the two left. Spain plays a more attacking game where moving the ball quickly has to be based on instinct rather than more thoughtful and specific consideration to where the ball need to be placed to take the most advantage of the space that is created – sometimes it works, but against a more flexible team it usually does not.

agiamba, inaccurate or adjusted

The stat I am pointing to may be more inline with giovinco starting matches and Juventus going undefeated in serie a. Regardless, he was great in 08-09. But in 09-10 it seemed that every time he walked onto the pitch he was always looking over his shoulder. I don’t believe he was a 100% comfortable with Juventus and his position in the team. Had he had a more relaxed atmosphere Im sure he would have shined.

Anyway, I love this kid, and like all of you hope he can make it onto the azzurri for 2012 at the latest.

Forzaroma, miccoli,totti,cassano,rossi – out of that list, I think Totti is done and Miccoli aint getting any younger in that respect. I think a list of Balotelli, Cassano, Rossi, Pazzini, Gilardino, Quags if far more realistic. With outside shots going to Borriello, Matri, Floccari, etc.

Ah, gio! For years I nagged myself about what France “lacks” and you nailed it!

Yes, Italy’s style – often interpreted as negative; the Brits hammer at this – is sophisticated and most non-Italian Azzurri fans I’ve met appreciate that facet of the Italian style.

Maybe that’s why Italy succeeds against Germany: The predictability factor. Italy is flexible enough to absorb their penetrations. To say nothing of the fact Italy does well against Brazil and Argentina at the WC.

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Poli is overrated? Madrid, Arsenal and Man City have all tried to buy him already since the season ended. His ridiculous passing range, composure and total assurance is compared to Albertini and Fabregas. Jose Mourinho said he voted Poli into his Serie A 11 of the year.

Overrated … my god that’s laughable. Do people watch calcio italiano at all … I’m guessing no is the answer. In Italy his nickname is “ragazzo prodigio” and he was one of the stars of a team that will be playing Champions League football next season.

Players like him come around every 15 years. Dino you keep listening to Cannavaro though!

… Because I’ll be listening to the likes of Paolo Rossi.

Paolo Rossi: ‘Lippi was arrogant’
Tuesday 29 June, 2010

World Cup 1982 hero Paolo Rossi has blamed Marcello Lippi for the “catastrophe” in South Africa.

“Lippi was guilty of arrogance and that proved to be a catastrophe,” slammed the Azzurri hero.“He called up players who were unmotivated and I would’ve made very different decisions. If I had been in Lippi’s place, I would’ve called up Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano, Mario Balotelli and Marco Borriello.”

FAILURE.

Well there you have it. Paolo Rossi takes it! Great find Daddio!

poli is a regista or an advanced playmaker like monto,xavi etc ??
also correct me if i am wrong,but in big tournaments only already established players usually play for italy and youngsters with little experience at national level warm the bench
and monto was clearly not enough to provide all the creativity and do some defensive job sometimes(as a central MF) at the same time,so 2 montolivos,aka monto-aquilani on the field could be enough to have a superb central midfield and i blame lippi for not considering this when going to world cup with no fantasistas up front

So moving along, it looks like we may be playing Armenia for Prandelli’s debut:

http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/628/other-top-stories/2010/06/28/1999347/italy-leave-it-late-to-find-august-friendly-opponent

I for one don’t care who we play at that time, as the seasons haven’t gotten underway just yet. I do hope though that Prandelli calls his first choice of players and not some scant B team like Donadoni did when he took over. Because of that I thought we were stupidly underprepared for our Euro 08 first qualifiers where in one of the matches we lost to France 3-1

That match was therapeutic for France.Whatever worked for them. That and the rabid anti-Italian rhetoric. It was hilarious. Cativo da vero.

The simple fact is, and this is what drives us insane, Italy beats itself more than gets beaten.

Love the Paolo Rossi comment. And Marco I believe Italy are looking for a tougher opponent I don’t think it will be Armenia. Firefly have to agree on earlier comments about CBC. They know absolutely nothing at all.

Paolo, ESPN is equally atrocious. It’s so superficial.

Paolo: They are currently looking for a tougher opponent. However, as long as they get results whether it’d be against minnows or against Brazil, I’ll be happy. I hope that the Prandelli era is full of a team that tries and pushes for its results.

Firefly has the line to end all lines “Italy Beats Itself more than gets Beaten” Truer words were never spoken. Brilliant!

CBC: This is single handedly the WORST station to watch a world cup game, their continued bias towards all things english. If you had a chance to watch sundays coverage of the England match, the one English guy (Nigel Reid) was about to rip into the microphone. Yelling about how Capello MUST resign, he’s awful, the goal was a goal, how great england is, what quality players blah blah blah… Quite frankly if anyone has an email address or a phone number of which to reach these goofs please forward it to me.

But, CBC and its sheer Rascist coverage is a reflection of Canadian society. I don’t know how many of you live in Canada but despite all the great things you hear about this country and its welcoming openess and multicultural beliefs, when it comes to football, they are the most racist lot to deal with. Everything is ENGLAND ENGLAND ENGLAND, despite the fact that most people in my area and surrounding areas go for Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, heck even the Neatherlands… But when you turn on the radio ENGLAND, when you turn on the TV ENGLAND, when you sit at a TFC game ENGLAND, and the fucking comments that come from these racist shits too! It’s remarkable that we’re in 2010, england will never win anything, they continue to produce shit players if any, yet every four years ENGLAND!!!!!! Have these people ever been to that country to begin with? It’s a horrid little land with 1 half decent city. Go outside london you wannabes and see your country in all its might!!! I’m sorry but, it’s frustrating being an italian in ENGLAND! wait, I mean CANADA! Actually, Having been in england hundreds of times, I would say Italians are looked higher upon in England than in Fucking Canada! And we built this country (as a side project, while we built the USA!) FORZA ITALIA~!

I agree with Marco about the world cup coverage in Canada. Watching the games over the weekend I really felt the coverage was being racist. At first I thought it was just me taking it too seriously or whatever but it honestly is terrible. I find it a disgrace to Canadian values, but in the end we treat anything that comes out of England as if it came from heaven.

Thanks Marco.

No doubt about it. It always amuses me how they speak of Italy as if they’re just another team. But England – whoa! If an alien came down from Planet Tirax they’d get the idea England was a power and Spain won six world cups.

The thing is, in general, it feels as though they just wait to stick it to Italy and prop up any team that comes along. Now they’re jacking off to Spain.

I heard the Brit commentator describe a succession of Spanish passes as “lovely.” Even though it was in the middle of the pitch between three unpressured players who went nowhere.

My Lord.

ESPN are in bed with anything Brazilian as if soccer begins and ends with them. Dumb.

Yet they have ONE world cup more than Italy. ONE.

Let’s hope it stays that way because they have the inside track in 2014; no guarantee a host wins though.

Very true, they are even on a knifes edge when it comes to Argentina. Actually their infatuation with Argentina is laughable. This is the same team coached by the same person that so eloquantly set highlight reels in motion against them in 1986. Bloody English!

I do apologize for my above comment however, it was crude and a little insensitive to a culture quite frankly blinded by the flashy lights of the outside world, I’m talking about Canada. Having lived in this country for a number of years now, I can safetly say that, the day they remove their heads from where they’re currently keeping it, they’ll have a tremendous football/soccer team. The talent in this country up to the age of 15 is immense and diverse, they could really have something here.

Beautiful goal by Spain! Pinpoint, touch passing. Amazing technical skills. reminded me of the team in blue of past years!

Marco, you don’t know the CSA do you? As long as they control development Canada will wallow in nothingness. It’s a shame really because we should be on par – or close to – with the U.S.

Spain looks shaky on defense big time. They’re good and deserve their praise but against a team that can take away spaces they can be neutralized. They don’t shift tactics and Paraguay may frustrate them like Switzerland.

It really is a crap shoot between Argentina (though I’d stunned if they don’t reach the finals), Brazil, Holland and Spain. Paraguay and Uruguay I’d be careful of.

WHERE Did Lippi come up with Marchisio as a trequartista ?

and

Why did Iaquinta play every minutes@ WC2010

Lippi’s 2nd ERA = WHAT A WASTE OF 2 YEARS

Firefly

SPAIN is Missing = Senna (D- MId), that’s why they look shakey @ back

F Spain! they win by one goal each game and its “oh, what beautiful passing” or ” lovely touches” etc… etc…

When we win by a goal, its “typical Italians” or “negative football” or “we dived for a PK” etc…….

The great wonderful Spain only beat us in the Euros because we reverted back to being pathetic at PK’s and we didn’t have Il Divin Codino to score a last minute goal.

so, F Spain!!!

Hey everybody, I PVR’d the Spain/ Portugal game and just finished whatching it about an hour ago. Did anyone else happen to catch C Ronaldo spit in the direction of the cameramen as he walked off the field at the end of the game? Classy! Reinforced what I already thought of that classless piece of shit ten fold!

Italia 2006, I know and I agree.

Vincent, I hear ya. I actually heard the Brit commentator say, “Spain will look for the one goal and shut it down.” My God! Doesn’t he know that’s anti-football? When Italy does end of the world.

Old Lady, saw that. Ronaldo is without doubt the king of simulation. Been following his antics at fantasycheatersleague. I’m just happy we’re not in the top 10. Although I would love to see Italy cut that shit out a little more.

lol… The CSA is obviously the biggest waste of government funds in this country. I remember a number of years ago, they were given three million dollars by the federal government to do with what they please. What did they do? They built themselves a state of the art headquarters.

As for the world cup, you can’t really predict this one. I’d say every team involved in there so far are well deserved of their results.
A lot of the big teams Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, have looked good up front, but have seemed rather poor in the defensive aspect of their games. For instance, I’ve noticed a trend. Correct me if I’m wrong, but does it seem that these teams are playing with three or four strikers, while focusing less on the midfield aspect of the game. For instance, Argentina, seems to just be lobbing balls forward to Tevez, Higuain and Messi, same thing seems to be true for Ozil and the Germans and Brazil. Meanwhile, Spain seems strong in the mid and final third, while their defence has managed to get out of sorts on occasion.

My thought is this, Paraguay, if they can remain connected and hold their ground defensively can cause trouble, Uruguay looks good throughout the park – but I wonder if they’ve actually played anyone of value. The way they went up by 1 goal and completely took the foot off the pedal against the koreans was one thing, but then when Korea scored, they seemed to just come right back to life and played impressively until they scored the go ahead. I’d say this is the most complete team at the world cup From the back line to the final third, they seem to be nicely connected. The only question that may linger is if they actually have the talent to compete against Brazil, Argentina, etc. Do they have the ability to absorb some of the speed that these other teams exhibit.

I’ll say this, my vote is Uruguay to win the world cup, only if they can get passed the speedy Ghanians. If Ghana goes through, then all bets are off, but put money on the african nation, remember ‘uncle sepp’ does want an African team to win in Africa… let’s see what’ll happen.

One small bonus of the Azzurri going out, is that I can actually enjoy some of these games without bias. Truthfully, of course I don’t want Brazil, Argentina, Germany to win this world cup, however, with Italy out, that traditional, ‘this team needs to lose’ mentality isn’t really there.

Another side note, the way our midfield played against Paraguay and New Zealand, I will give Lippi credit that our possession and the way we moved the ball in the centre of the pitch was quite competitive when you look at the Brazils, Spains, and Argentinas. At the end of the day it was the back line and front line (especially) that were our downfall.

Christiano Ronaldo is a bum. Prior to this world cup, english media affirmed that the best players in the world were Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, but quite frankly it’s been Ricki Kaka and Messi that have been going out there to win the thing. Ronaldo has been utterly poor and Rooney even more so. I do hope the english media decides to look inward following this world cup and figures out how it went wrong. To even consider England a team capable of winning this world cup showed their tremendous bias and lack of knowledge on the subject.

Ronaldo has been and always will be a piece of shit. His diving antics all game made an impression on the ref, and when he was actually fouled later in the match, no call. Deserved.

And Spain are by far my least favorite team in the tournament. Everyone loves them, and are rooting for them. They play amazing football! Nope, they play classic Italian football like today! Score one and defend. The commentators just love jerking to them.

As odd as it sounds, I’m pulling for Germany. Don’t want Spain, or Brazil to get #6, and Maradona just pisses me off.

Marco, I mentioned I thought the mids were solid. Weird, where we were strong the others teams seem average. Holland’s, Argentina’s, Spain’s and even Germany’s defense are shaky or prone to serious break downs. As a group, they were slightly better than ours which happened to be our worst ever.

Spain or Holland, and this concerns me, don’t have a terminator in the middle. And you’re right, if Uruguay and Paraguay play organized and tough as nails, they will cause trouble for anybody.

Brazil’s defense is rock solid. Juan is under rated at Roma. We’ll see how it matches up against Holland who seem to be playing pragmatic. If they play realistic they can take Brazil.

I’m perversely enjoying it too. 2006 burnt me. Though I have to admit, given the field is average, if Lippi hadn’t been such an arrogant dick we’d be right in the middle of it.

I guess I wouldn’t mind, among the powers, Holland; even though I rarely read them saying anything nice about Italian soccer. Argentina is the lesser of all evils between Brazil and Germany since all our competing with the Italy for the most stars.

I’m going for the underdogs. So far, they’ve been timid. Chile disappointed me as they froze like little girls in front of Brazil. I hope Uruguay, Paraguay or Ghana making it to the finals.

Paul I’m with you except I would rather see the Dutch win it of the teams left. For obvious reasons can’t stand Brazil… every tournament it’s Brazil this, Brazil that and like I said last week I want the chance to pull even with them at 6 on their home soil in 4 years.

Portugal is out, loved that result. I’m in Vancouver and any time Portugal wins a f’n game in any tournament they drive around acting like they just won the World Cup for the fourteenth time.

Maradona annoys the shit outta me too. I hear all these people saying how refreshing he is to watch. Forget that, I think he acts like a child. I think he’s embarassing. I would lose it if the Azzurri ever had an immature ass like that on their sideline calling the shots. I can’t wait to see him lose his shit when Argentina faces some adversity.

Uruguay would be fine with me as well.

Oh yeah I almost forgot, Nigel Reid is a chooch! He knows dick all about the game. The only reason he’s on there is because he’s English. I like how Bobby Lenarduzzi disagrees with him about everything.

Old Lady,

I’m in Van as well. Where have you been watching the games?

Also Old Lady,

Maradona is calling no shots for Argentina, Bilardo and his other assistants are pulling the strings. Diego is nothing more than a figurehead/ glorified cheerleader

Bari Mike,

True enough on the Maradona comment, I still can’t stand his antics.

Since the Azzurri got knocked out I just been watching at home or family’s places. How bout you?

This will be my final Lippi post. As i do agree it is time to move forward especially as Prandelli will be official as of Thursday….

When we think of Domenech we all know he is an asswipe and a classless bum. An exit at the group stage in both the Euro and WC. But in 2006 he was in the final along with us. And the only thing that stopped him from becoming a hero like lippi was the crossbar, in a penalty shootout, in the world cup final.

I heard the commentators talking about how he was superstitious about what to do and who to put on and they were implying that he was basically a crazy loser. Lippi’s the same.

Confederation Cup. Lippi had remarks about how he didn’t want to win it because no team that has won it, went on to win WC.

1982, 2006: In these years Italy played a friendly against Switzerland and drew 1-1 right before the tournament started. Guess what happened in 2010…..1-1 Switzerland.

Then we drew the first two games at this WC at Lippi kept referring to how we did it in 1982: with a tie in all 3 games.

Amongst all that there was numerous comments like that and he kept repeating things like “omens” – basically good luck charms.

Domenech stubbornly did not pick players, acted classless infront of the media, and refused to shake the SA coaches hand at the end of the game. Well that sounds like someone we know too doesn’t it. Yes, Lippi.

As I said before Domenech was in the penalty shootout of the WC final with us, and he had Zidane, Trezeguet, Barthez etc, while we had Totti, Del Piero, Buffon etc. I don’t try to take away any of the glory of 2006 but i really don’t believe it had as much to do with Lippi as many ppl think.

Domenech = Lippi

Bring on Prandelli

Ghana people, Ghana. Get with it people. I can not explain it any better than that it is time for it to happen.

just as long as brasil and those dutch don’t win it i’m happy, germany too i don’t want them getting their 4th.

juan is under-rated defender yes, but in rome no. we’ve known about his genius for quite some time now.

and lippi was a mastermind in 2006. having his players play amazing helped too but the way he used totti, and suited his side to each opponent was perfect. even marco will tell you that. lippi in 2010, not so much…which i’m realizing now that i’ve yet to say; marco you were right lol i didn’t expect the players to play this poorly, but that doesn’t mean lippi is off the hook. maggio should have started each game. and quagliarella/pazzini over iquinta/gilardino. AT LEAST for the slovakia game. he started the same players, and expect different results. that was his undoing. but he’s not senile, he’s not a quack over night, it was a combination of his players, and his stubborness in picking those certain players that resulted in this disaster.

I’ve been down on Commercial Drive for the most part. My cousin has a cafe down there, though it is officially cursed for Italy games. I need to find a new spot ala 2006, where I watched every game (except the US game) at Cafe Amici and they won em all.

But for the rest of the World Cup, I will be at Giancarlo’s. Chances are, you know the place, come down, watch a few games, the food is pretty good and its a pretty good atmosphere

mac,

It would be nice to see Ghana progress, its just a shame it would have to be at Uruguay’s expense. They were always the best African side, but imagine if they had Essien going.

Nigel Reed is a douche. You have a british accent, good for you, but that doesnt mean you actually know the game you fool. To hear him skewering Capello for England’s exit was hilarious. Pretty bad when “Mr Italia” Lennarduzzi is making you look bad.

BariMike…..The whole Essien what if is always going to be there, regardless, either Ghana or Uruguay are going to progress and that is great either way. Despite all of the bullshit calls this makes my world cup. Go Black Stars. I just want to throw out there that Ghana is a country with a population less than California. .

You guys complain about CBC. We have our own problems with ESPN. The Italians are always diving, play-acting, faking, cheating. While the rest of the teams are “theatrical” and they “embellish.”

The utter racist shit they spouted during the New Zealand match was a sight to behold. Unbelievable. They pretended as if the elbows weren’t flying right & left.

And let’s not forget the stereotypes. You can tell these guys have never seen a Serie A match. One quote: “Italy, not a place known for scoring goals.”

These guys are all English, with one Scottish. I’m sure they’d be surprised to know that Serie A has averaged more goals per game than England’s Premier League for several years now.

The bias shown against Italy was jaw-droppingly offensive. Too bad my England-obsessed idiot countrymen just nod in agreement.

Hello guys,
First: World Cup 1982 hero Paolo Rossi has blamed Marcello Lippi for the “catastrophe” in South Africa. “He was arrogant and called unmotivated players.”
Second: Former Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni says the Azzurri have deteriorated since Marcello Lippi replaced him.
Third: This is my theory, I think there was a conspiracy from three particular individuals FIGC President Abete, Marcello Lippi & Fabio Cannavaro. After the triumph of WC 2006 in Germany Lippi resigned as head coach his resignation was not indeed a definite one but a vacation for him to come back to the helm after Euro 2008 as Lippi’s main tournament was the WC and not Euro Championship. The conspiracy is to throw out Donadoni even if he led the Azzurri to semi-finals or finals or even win the championship, I am not found of Donadoni’s era but clearly the guy was brought to take over things temporarily as planned. Lippi wanted to take some time off thinking in 2 years time he will take the Azzurri to South Africa and win it again thinking he is the only man in Italy to do that “kind of an arrogance problem”. Lippi received lots of offers after he resigned after WC 2006 but rejected them all, he had one thing in mind and one thing only to return back as a head coach of Azzurri and take his favorite captain Cannavaro with him along with some of his old guard as well. I after doing some research it came to my mind that he came back not to improve but to destroy, he thought he could do the magic he has done in Berlin but his ego fooled him this time, he brought in an ill captain a one that does not know how to speak even, if he had any dignity he would of hanged his boots right after the WC 2006 or a year later. It is true that Maldini missed WC honor to his honorable belt, but and even Cannavaro has raised the trophy in 2006 it is a sin to compare him with the legend Maldini, Maldini right after WC 2002 particularly after S. Korea’s decisive golden goal cried and blamed himself for not marking the player who scored that goal and retired from International duty, he was a gentleman to observe that he would not be able to do the job right with the Azzurri as before, Maldini kept his pride and moved on with Milan. Moving on to the conspiracy theory of mine, shame on Lippi, Cannavaro & Abete who had a major role in this shameful humiliation, almost everyone noticed that Azzurri needs drastic changes right after Euro 08 & indeed after Confed. Cup 09. Statements like “youngsters what youngsters” “I know what I am doing” “This team will be build on strong character” is all part of the conspiracy to destroy the Italian Football Character not intentionally but in an arrogant ignorant stupidity style.
Gentlemen, I await what the clubs will do in order to help Prandelli in fulfilling his duty, it is a path that every concerned person in Italian Football should “Must” recognize and work on it promptly.

you fools. Maradona is a legend and high motivation in world cups is more important than anything else. he clearly has acumen.

If there’s one thing we can still laugh at Spain for is their fans, they were celebrating all night with horns etc just for having got to the quarters. The quarters!!!

i am dreaming of a uruguay-paraguay final lol

Next topic for discussion!?

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Mondiale_2010/Squadre/29-06-2010/10-agosto-si-svela-nuova-italia-71264368594.shtml

Google translate just in case -
ROME, June 29, 2010 – Italy in a hurry to turn the page. Forget in a hurry to fool the world, eager to leave behind the disappointments and the cumbersome baggage of mistakes. Italy in a hurry to live the future. And the future has a name, Cesare Prandelli. The future begins Thursday, July 1, at 15, when the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on new coach will be officially presented to the press. It will speak for the first time coach of the Azzurri. Let’s start hunting in words, expressions, feelings, to understand who will be part of the National tomorrow. The names are used, from Cassano and Balotelli, to De Ceglie and Antonini. Young people especially. Better if hungry.

friendly August 10 – The future will come later in camp Tuesday, August 10, the day the new National will play its first friendly match. The opponent is still uncertain, but discussions are underway with Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Uruguay. Certain however, is the headquarters: London, Craven Cottage, Fulham’s stadium. Initially there was talk of 11 August, but that date was already scheduled a friendly in England, another highly anticipated race, given the unfortunate circumstances.

great article on goal.com about how players that featured in NIke’s ‘write the future’ campaign got jinxed.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/30/2002594/nikes-attempt-to-write-the-future-turned-into-a-curse-for

mo_dudes, great conspiracy! I’ve always believed that Donadoni was simply brought in to give Lippi a break from action. The guy was waiting in the wings and when he took over he showed little respect to the donadoni team or era.

With that being said, a very big ominous sign that there was this back room dealing was Capello and how he raced off to England when Donadoni was faulting in the Qualifying/exhibition matches in the lead up to the European Championships. Now Capello is complete slime, I still remember hearing about the Juventus relegation and in the same shot, saw Capello getting off a plane in Madrid. But, I believe he was the natural successor to Donadoni following his parting from the European cup.

Donadoni v. Lippi: In true Donadoni fashion he has come out firing. He’s claimed that while he was manager he was under a tight scope the whole time, yet lippi’s been, for lack of a better term, fucking about for two years with poor results and we really haven’t heard anything. You could even tell from the british commentators, cbc, and espn, while they did refer to lippi’s azzurri as weaker than normal, they didn’t think they were capable of this… in all fairness, the results we’ve witnessed over the last two years are far worse than in the Donadoni era.

With that being said, Mo_dudes, there’s a fourth person to add to your list, Albertini. This guy seems to be the puppet master behind Abete. Yes, Abete MUST resign, his main failure is the inability to get us a hosting job of either the 2012 and 2016 european championships. This in itself is a black mark on the proudest of nations. Albertini though must also resign, he hired Donadoni – instead of finding a winning coach, he brought in Donadoni, then he was also responsible for bringing Lippi. But his best moments were when he sat on Rai during the world cup and bitched about how Italy was full of great talent, like Iaquinta, Pirlo, Camoranesi, and that everyone else is completely wrong, the day before our ship sank against the mighty Slovakians.

my “Anderson Cooper” List of Shame are as follows:

1. Lippi
2. Cannavaro
3. Abete
4. Albertini
5. Morratti
6. Silvio Berlusconi
7. Blanc
8. Secco
9. Galliani
10.Tony Hayword – He’s really to blame for everything isn’t he? Should we consider hiring him for the Azzurri presidency?

wasn’t impressed by Spain-Portugal. the Brit commentators ooohing and ahhhing about how much of a connoisseur’s game it was made me want to gag. Italy looked better than Spain in their first 2 games and the last 15 minutes of the last game, except of course the finishing.

i like the Dutch for being classy but i am loving Maradona. he is so pumped and full of fire, and i love that he told the media to “blow me” when they said he sucked and wouldn’t qualify. DeMichelis is a liability at the back, otherwise they look good.

Spain will choke, they are good but overrated, and watch as more FIFA reffing decisions go Germany’s way.

it cannot be a coincidence that Germany gets the most calls in their favour (one exception was the harsh double booking of Klose against Serbia), especially when a German-Swiss is head of FIFA.

i hope Prandelli stuffs Gilardino in a closet and never picks him. never.

Prandelli stuffs Gilardino eh? Never will happen. The good thing about Prandelli coaching the azzurri is that we all know Gilardino can only score when Prandelli is the coach! So I have faith Gila will rediscover his scoring touch. If he doesn’t then the hope is he doesn’t hang on to this sack of potatoes longer than a couple of games.

I heart Argentina & Germany, for the time being. Too bad they face each other in the next round.
As stated before, the worst thing aside from Italy failing to progress would be Brazil winning the world cup. That said, I’m kind of pretty indifferent about who wins it, as long as it is not Spain or Brazil.

I’m starting to believe that it was Lippi’s doppleganger who was installed as the coach, while the real Lippi was probably kept in a state of coma in a remote island somewhere…. Probably it was the English who conspired with Brazil and FIFA to pull this off.

Ok so I don’t want Brazil to win for obvious reasons. Don’t want Germany to win because then they will have 4 like Italy. Argentina/Uruguay have 2 each and they are south Americans and all latin people here in Ny are just going nuts about the success of the South American teams. Spain is getting too cocky and I believe I read that Spanish media mocks Italy which I dont get why. So i guess I want the Dutch to win.

I don’t want Brazil to win WC 2010, coz if they win it they will win WC 2014 right in front of their fans and that will make it 7 stars that is too much it will be hard for any nation to catch up with them. I would like to see Argentina wins it simply because for Diego Armando Maradona the guy deserve it and it will be 3 stars for them, I don’t want Germany to win it that will make it 4 stars like Italy but I have to admit they have been impressive in this WC. We shall see what will happen the quarter-finals will be exciting to watch.
Marco thanks for adding the listed personnel in your comment at the end Shame on them all the fucking cowards, Azzurri the bright Azzurri should of been among the big 8 in WC 2010.

A point to ponder: Germany’s 2010 team was built from 2006. Aside from the ‘Keeper, it seems that several key positions have been already held by several players in their prime with enough experience.
Now, Prandelli has to build the Azzuri from nearly scratch again, since almost none of the young players has had the experience and opportunity to prove themselves.
Italian clubs should set aside their ambition to acquire top of the notch foreign players and start nurturing their youth. This might sacrifice their achievements in the short run, but in the medium to long run, it would pay dividends. It’s a risk worth taking. That said, the burden would lie on club owners, as the policy makers, and the managerial and coaching staff. Is this quite normative? Probably. Is this something that should have gone without saying? Probably. But it seems that no club, especially the big four, or even the seven sisters, has been able to pull.
Just spilling my thought before bedtime…..

Here goes:
-Not surprised the Spanish press would bash Italy when they’re down. The entire history of Spain is one of angry inferiority complex towards Italy. They say we’re arrogant. Maybe. But at least we can back it up with objectives facts. Real arrogance is when you think you’re all that and choke and never win. Love the part about how they celebrated through the night for a QF win over Portugal.

-Mac, I want Ghana to win but didn’t mention it because I’m realistic. Germany will indeed get calls their way against Argentina. Still, I can’t see how this time around they beat them. Argentina can cut through that average mid and defense like butter.

-CBC. Poor Nigel. But my pick is John Collins. Thick, low key Scottish accent and spews the same drivel superficial drivel crap about “beauty.” I can’t prove it but I’m sure he’s thoroughly anti-Azzurri and is one of those guys who’d accept if Spain plays shut down calling it “smart” (when there’s nothing smart in their game) and negative when it’s Italy. I keep thinking of Willy from The Simpsons when I hear him. Actually, I stopped listening.

-Mo_dudes, interesting mo_dudes. I privately thought to myself why Canna didn’t step aside if he was honest with himeslf like Maldini. But I can’t criticize him for playing.

-Speaking of chooches, salams and douches. Marco, Anderson Cooper is one. Chris Matthews another and Sean Hannity yet another. Rachel Maddow too.

I’m libertarian/classical liberal with a dash of pragmatic oonservatism in my outlook and I can’t stand statist liberals and their nanny-state nyeh, nyeh, nyeh. Especially the ones who defend the authoritarian in presently in power. I despise their reactionary anti-Constitutional assault on liberties under the guise of progressivism. Bush was bad but Obama is worse.

That’s my political rant of the day.

a legend retires..he was phenomenal in 2000….
i believe he is still better than marchetti..still bitter Marchetti did not even make a save out of 4 goals he conceded
http://www.football-italia.net/jun30w.html

haven’t heard CBC broadcasts but it is hard to imagine they are worse than the English language ESPN casters. Ian Darke & stupid co. are not only so biased and preferential, but they are pure shite in terms of knowledge of the game and how to actually commentate a game properly. listen to the Spanish speaking anouncers from South America – objective, call it like it is commentary with knowledge of where the players are from, how they have performed in club games and who is actually performing well.

these British douchebags should get lost. Alex Lalas has been doing a better job and he is pretty much an idiot.

Is it just me or does it seem like a lot of teams are not showing up to this world cup? Aside from Maradona & co, not a whole lot of emotion that I am used to seeing.

Gio, good points. I think CBC does a better overall job all things considered. We’re hard on them because we come from a perspective of knowledge. For the resources they have at their disposal ESPN simply bites. Is Marcotti still there?

I like the South American commentators a lot. I used to watch a panel on Tele Latino (with sub titles) and I found them to be rational and insightful. I find the Italians to be pretty good too. Both better than the Brits in my opinion.

julian? paul? we need a new article guys. people are chomping at the bit to read and talk about the azzurri. prandelli is announced today and we play our first game under him next month. there’s lots to talk about.
could you do an article discussing the future hopes and players for the team? guys like de silvestri, poli etc?
i cant wait to see who he calls up.

It really doesn’t matter who covers it. CBC, TSN, Sportsnet, they all make a hack of it. Especially when talking about the Italians. They know nothing of what’s going on. One of the CBC guys, Jason De Vos, was talking about how it’s not Lippis faut because he didn’t have a lot to choose from. LMAO. One thing I really liked was the guy from the footy show on the score, he said he felt bad for the Italians and felt a new partnership as they will be showing Serie A on the score this year apparently.

Hey Paolo, did they say how many Serie A games they will be showing this season? The only guy on CBC, TSN, or Sportsnet that I don’t mind listening to is Craig Forrest. He doesn’t hold back and tells it like it is more often then not. Would rather listen to him then any of those other goofs.

I was gonna say, Sportsnet/TSN with Dobson and Forrest is excellent. Howard and Rauter too. The Score guys are not bad at all as well and those two Brits know their crap and don’t do the reactionary anti-Azzurri thing.

De Vos said that? See? No preparation. I don’t care what anyone says, if you’re not following Serie A/Italy all year round then you’re an idiot and shouldn’t be talking about soccer. Bottom line: At minimum EPL, Liga and Serie A you MUST KNOW.

Like I said, about De Vos, they act like Italy is just another soccer nation when it’s not. I don’t know how anyone can say such things and worse, display an utter lack of curiosity about one of the greatest and most successful of all soccer nations.

The second unit of Scott “La Roja” Russell, Collins and De Vos is muted on my TV. Lenarduzzi is the only one I can handle. Howard they tucked away with Armitage and the other dude in one of the most pointless segments they have going.

i’ve just caught one game on univision so far, and the spanish commentators are much, much less irritating. i should’ve switched over for italy’s final game instead of having to mute espn. okay, so i only understand every other word they say. i know WHAT they’re talking about and 90% of the time it’s the game. while derek rae is quoting bob dylan, discussing wind, and occasionally informing the viewer that some player/team is good.

also, will no one teach ian how to pronounce italian names, while argentina is still around? another 90+ minutes of “mitch-ay-liss” and “masherano” might drive me insane. this is someone being PAID (a large amount of) money to blather on about the players, and he doesn’t seem to know much else besides their names… it’s fucking contagious too, lalas used to pronounce them correctly!

Shit, didn’t Lalas play in Italy for a couple of seasons at Padova? You would think…

Yes. ‘CH’ is pronounced like a ‘K.’ What’s so hard? Again, there’s no excuse for this. Especially given chances are you have Italian friends and Italy’s soccer heritage to help you along.

Why are we playing our first game under Prandelli in freakin England????

Firefly I agree 100% with your take on the GOOF TROOP on CBC!

Since the Azzurri got knocked out I’ve actually been PVRing all the games and watching them a bit later in the day…. just so I can fast forward the pointless banter pre game and at half time. It’s a much more enjoyable experience that way. Thank god for technological advances in home entertainment!

Old Lady they did not say how many serie A games they would be showing but i would assume it’s better than just being stuck with the 2 on TLN Sundays. Maybe get some Saturdays in there would be nice. And Firefly ya that De Vos character actually said that. These idiots go and spew shit like that and all the neutral viewers go on and think that Italy has nobody. Not that I care as I’m sure we’ll show differently in 2012 but man it’s a piss off.

Fox Sports World Canada carried Serie A games along with RAI and TLN. I was covered pretty much. Yeah, I don’t bother listening anymore. I just do my own research. To think these people get paid.

Paolo, therein lies the problem with these guys. They don’t realize how much power to influence they have and to go up and say that is unacceptable PERIOD.

Maybe they should read our threads!

Ya see I have Rogers Digital cable I have Rai and TLN but i think i’m gonna order FSW. The only reason I haven’t is because Rogers are crooks lol. That shit they pulled with Setanta during the champions league was bs. They put the shit game on Sportsnet, and then put the good game on Setanta which is like 20 bucks a month and they’re games other than that are ones that I don’t care about anyway cuz Italy is usually playing on another channel. And boy are they crooks. If u watch things like national geographic it’s the same show over and over whereas the ones in the USA have crazy documentaries on UFOS and the bermuda triangle lol. Goes well with what Marco was saying about Canada.

Also the fact that CBC got the rights to the 2010 WC was a joke. The way they’re carrying these games is nonsense. The post/pre match commentary is disgraceful, and when a powerhouse like Italy gets knocked out there’s no real insight to what’s happened. It’s just like, the champions are out, stupid no knowledge comments – next game is at 2 see you then.

Paolo I used to have Setanta a couple years ago and it is a rip off. They show a handful of games on the weekends and then replay the same shit over and over throughout the week (EPL games.) I haven’t even thought about renewing it since I cut it off. Gol network is more worth while in my opinion. Does anyone know if TLN has renewed their contract for this year or is that where the Score picked up Serie A games from? Hope not.

Old Lady here it is:

http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2010/04/14/score-media-secures-serie-a-rights/

Thanks Paolo! I read and it looks like they will be the only network carrying Serie A in Canada this year.

For those of you who insist that it was Lippi’s personal bias and arrogance not to select Cassano to the National team, I came across this quote from De Rossi in October 2009:

“He [Cassano] is amongst all the Italian attackers who has the most talent, and the most fun, but if we look at goals, those that already represent Italy internationally score more than him.”

Do you remember De Rossi making this statement about Cassano? I remember thinking that this statement by De Rossi pretty much cemented Lippi’s decision not to select Cassano. De Rossi didn’t have to chime in on the Cassano-Lippi squabble. He could have just kept his mouth shut.

It’s obvious what De Rossi thinks about Cassano. If he thought highly of Cassano, De Rossi wouldn’t have thrown him under the bus like that. This is really the heart of the problem with Cassano. With all of his great skill, he has a very disruptive personality. You either love him or you hate him. It’s not just Lippi that has a problem with him as a person. I mentioned De Rossi and we all know what Cannavaro had to say about him after the tournament. Lets not forget about Fabio Capello. Cassano and Capello couldn’t stand each other.

The point I’m trying to make here is that we can 2nd guess everything that Lippi did in preperation for this World Cup, but you have to at least understand his point of view. Even if you disagree with his point of view. In regards to Cassano, his point of view is that Cassano can divide a locker room. His antics, tirades, and anger-management issues means that he is just as likely to get a red card as he is to score a beautiful goal. But as De Rossi mentioned back in October 2009, “we already have players that score goals”.

Dino, I think we all know that Cassano has be disruptive in the past. However he had been an angel all past season compared to his previous self. Alot of times people actually mature as they got older, wouldn’t you agree? I would have agreed with him not being on the team a couple years ago, didn’t feel that way heading into this tournament.

On top of that Cassano is only one of at least a handful of players that were left out of the squad that deserved to be there over players that ended up representing Italia at the World Cup. Lippi still fucked up, no doubt about it!

I just want to go on record saying that I am not a Lippi fan. I never really liked him as a coach, but I find myself defending him now. I defend him because everyone wants to pin the blame 100% on him on this disastrous Mondiale. The main theme I’m hearing is that he did not choose the right players. I cant count how many names I’ve heard that should have been brought to South Africa. The names I’m hearing are players with marginal ability or players who are talented but are young with little or no playing experience.

The reason, I believe, that the Azzurri have been so successful over the decades at the World Cup is because of a philosophy regarding who they send to these major tournaments. The Italians have always sent players who are experienced, who play regularly for their clubs, and those who have big game experience. In order to be able to put on the blue shirt at a World Cup, you have to have been able to show that you’ve earned it. This has always been the Italian footballing mentality. The English have their own philosophy about who they send to the World Cup. I think we all know which country has been more successful over the years.

Now with 1 bad tournament, everyone wants to forget about the high standards placed on selecting Italia’s World Cup team. I think you’re anger should be diverted from the coach to the club teams. After all, its the club teams in Italy that are reluctant to play these talented Italian players. This makes it difficult for the national team coach.

Lippi should take a large part of the blame, but can anyone honestly name 1 Italian player that is considered world class??? Buffon is the only one. Guess what? He hardly played. Italy is not as bad as they showed in these 3 games, but they were never going to go very far in this tournament. It’s hard for me to say that, but we have to be objective here. Hopefully the clubs will make Prandelli’s job easier by playing these promising, young Italian players.

Dino you said,

“The reason, I believe, that the Azzurri have been so successful over the decades at the World Cup is because of a philosophy regarding who they send to these major tournaments. The Italians have always sent players who are experienced, who play regularly for their clubs, and those who have big game experience. In order to be able to put on the blue shirt at a World Cup, you have to have been able to show that you’ve earned it. This has always been the Italian footballing mentality.”

Guess what I totally agree. The problem is I think you and me disagree about who showed that they earned it this year. I hope you aren’t trying to tell me that Cannavaro, Camoranesi, Iaquinta, Zambrotta, Pepe and Gattuso showed that they earned their trip to South Africa. Maybe on experience but definitely not on recent performance. Three of these players started every game and two of them played every minute as far as I recall. Some other inclusions were marginal at best in my opinion and I know I’m not alone on that….

I also have a question for you Dino,

How many world class players would you say are on Ghana, Paraguay and Uruguay?

I also hope, as I think we all do, that club teams in Serie A start giving young Italian players a good look.

Alright News Day is here:

We begin with Cabrini being brought into the Azzurri Fold:
http://foreign.peacefmonline.com/sports/201006/53531.php

We’re likely to begin the Prandelli era in London:
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/572/internationals/2010/06/29/2001177/italy-to-play-cote-divoire-egypt-or-uruguay-friendly-in

Prandelli press conference expected shortly, hopefully if Julian and Paul aren’t too busy celebrating Canada Day We’ll have a new post up for the Prandelli Official Announcement. Zola and others have backed him to do a fine job, and bringing in Cabrini just adds a bit more lucrative aura to this team. We need the backroom and offices full of champions so that these kids know exactly what to aim for.

Also, about lippi, I think just about everything we’ve needed to say had been said. Today is a new day, a new dawn for the azzurri and for us as italians and tifosi. I suggest we shift focus away from our pathetic last four years and begin a new with the objective of qualifying and winning the 2012 European championship to prove our detractors wrong. The beauty of this Prandelli era is that its a completely fresh start, there is no ‘lippi’ lurking over the shoulder of Prandelli like in the Donadoni era, and there is no super expectation of a repeat world championship like in lippi’s second term. We are completely fresh, and unlike the english, we have young talent that will now get a shot to prove themselves. Forza Azzurri

re: Cassano

I think the stigma of Cassano as a dressing room menace can be put to rest. Donadoni himself has come out and said that Cassano should have been a certainty and that Cassano bring harmony and leadership to the dressing room.

Dino, Cassano was perfectly fine under Trap and Donadoni in major tournaments.

De Rossi has a misplaced sense of authority in the nationale – for whom he has done very little for.

What’s more ‘disruptive2′ getting yourself banned for three games for a very nasty elbow against the USA and then, four years later giving the ball away to get your team knocked out of the competition or playing with the kind of skill and guile that no defender wants to face.

Cassano may not score tons of goal but he must have set up 70% of Pazzini’s this season and about 50% of Samps goals. He is a tormentor. I cannot count the amount of attacks he has ignited and one of his team-mates finished.

Cassano is twice the player De Rossi will ever be, over the last two seasons, he has been amazing and any coach in any other country would count their belssings to have such an explosive talent. Who gives a shit about the way he behaves? The other players need to emulate his performances on the grass.

He has dragged Samp up the table and learned some good lessons along the way. He laughs off most things nowadays. He’s more level-headed than De Rossi, who turned into a bowl of jelly in the Slovakia game, he completely went to pieces.

And what players was De Rossi referring to in the azzurri set-up who “already score goals”? Gilardino? Laquinta? Di Natale? They’re so meek and gutless for the national team its shameful.

There’s literally no justification for taking a sap like Gilardino or Laquinta or a retard like Pepe ahead of Italy’s number one talent. anyone who tries to defend the decision is a lunatic or a fool.

stay julian/paul, stay. i’m lost now that i don’t have the azzuri to watch. you guys are the reminder of what might have and will be.. road to 2012 is a loooongggg wait.
tried to watch the match paraguay vs japan and all that while i was hoping it was the blue shirts that played. will try to watch germany vs argentina next. can’t even stomach other games.

In response to Old Lady’s question:

How many world class players would you say are on Ghana, Paraguay and Uruguay?

You’re right, these are the 3 weak sisters of the quarterfinalists. It happens in every world cup. Look at Korea and Turkey in 2002, look at Ukraine in 2006. You need world class players to win a world cup, you dont need world class players to make it to the Quarterfinals.

Dino,

that is only because Lippi did not start playing those players and giving them experience 2 years ago. that is his job as coach. and where did you think guys like Gattuso, Canavarro, etc. got their experience from?

you have to start somewhere. furthermore, players like Pazzini, DiNatale, DeRossi, Quagliarella, etc. certainly are world class and have experience. guys like Marchisio, Criscito, Palumbo, etc. do not have enough experience and Lippi should have brought them, in best case scenario, as bench warmers, never as starters.

you saw what happened when he put Maggio, Quagliarella and Pirlo on with DiNatale already out there. those are world class players with experience and they would have slaughtered Slovakia had they been given 45 min. and a better back line behind them.

you want to tell me the Sapin front line is world calss but Italy doesn’t have the players to compare?

i would take a Pirlo, DiNatale, Quagliarella, Pazzini line-up any day over Iniesta, Xabi, Torres, Llorente, Villa line up. watching Spain and Portugal showed me just how overhyped both teams are. and on NPR some sportswriter from Boston kept saying how Spain plays the most beautiful football. sure, when they play another team that has an attack they look nice, not really any difference than the aforementioned Italian formation. but when they play a half-defensive team , they gum up in the middle like so many others.

Italy have the players. they need to be selected – not just when the next WC starts but before, so they can play together and so the coach can train them properly.

Dino, you’re right about how Italy selects their squad but this time around they broke that covenant because in the past they actually brought guys who were on form. You said it yourself, players that are playing regularly to which Cassano was – a team who made Champions League.

As for his goal scoring, Cassano is not a pure striker. He can play TQ. He’s there to be a spark;to create. I don’t look to him for goals. I look to him to create space with pace. He was the set up man to Pazzini. How many goals did Cassano score this year? Three, four? No clue what De Rossi is talking about.

Again, Dino, for the love of God, the point is he DIDN’T bring players who were on FORM. They were spent forces. With that in mind, there were a boatload of excellent players to choose from.

Look at it this way, he put Gattuso in the final game instead of Palombo. Even within his own team he made the wrong moves. Palombo can do everything Gattuso can with the notable difference of being younger and having the ability to actually score.

Lippi deserves the criticism in this case. I don’t see how it can be otherwise and I’m not one to pit blame much in life. I see your point Dino as I’ve said, and in most cases it’s the right one but in this particular one, in my opinion, Lippi was the problem.

And even if we were to concede the players available lacked experience, if he didn’t believe he could win, then why not PLAY them and let them GAIN that experience. I’m pretty sure the result would have been better. The excitement, motivation, speed and age factor alone would have seen them through to the next round.

* – Spain

Gio, yeah. Spain is beautiful when they play teams who are tactically retarded or try to play like them.

The minute they play a team like Italy – where the run and take away spaces – they can’t wind up and ger in motion. They did at Euro.

Of course, the Brits and others call this anti-soccer. I call it plain smart and we see it in all sports. Why give into the other teams strengths when you have your own?

Portugal/Spain was tough to watch in spots. It was like watching guys at the local park play. There was no rhyme or reason to it but hey, it “looks” great.

What is “beautiful” soccer anyway?

While I think Quags/Di Natale/Pirlo are amazing, for now, I have to give the edge to Spain’s mid. But you’re right, they measure up.

In response to Gio’s questions:

where did you think guys like Gattuso, Canavarro, etc. got their experience from? Well, they got their experience from playing with their club teams.

In response to this statement: “i would take a Pirlo, DiNatale, Quagliarella, Pazzini line-up any day over Iniesta, Xabi, Torres, Llorente, Villa line up.” Are you serious? Gio, take your Azzurri/blue coloured glasses off man. You’re comparing Spains best world cup team in their history to Italy’s worst world cup team. If you cant see the quality of the Spanish team, then you’re obviously not an objective observer of the game.

Guys. Enough pish. Our new manager has spoken. Here’s to the future!

http://www.football-italia.net/jul01o.html

Firefly,
In response to your statement, “Dino, you’re right about how Italy selects their squad but this time around they broke that covenant because in the past they actually brought guys who were on form.” You’re right, there were some players who were not in form. But this was the dilemna that Lippi was facing. The dilemna was: Do you select players that are not at the top of their game, but have big game experience or do you select young, talented players who hardly play and/or have minimal big game experience? In the end Lippi chose a mix of the old guard players and younger players. Again, I will go on record saying that it was not the old guard players who let us down. It was the players that were in their prime (De Rossi, Chiellini, Gilardino)who did not lead this team, and it was the new guard players who cracked under the pressure.

Well, personally, I would have taken advantage of Confederations and qualifying and played as many kids I felt could make the jump to have them gain experience. He had to have known it was time to do this. He went with a mix, true, but let’s not fool ourselves, the team belonged to the old guards. Had it not been the case, they would have started on the bench. Then it would have been easier to judge the guys in their prime.

I don’t know. You can’t assume leadership if the previous group is not ready to relinquish it. Canna and the boys were still in control and so I’m not sure the players you singled out could have done more.

I think everyone didn’t play their part. It was just a mess.

Dino

1.15 minutes of Quagliarella, DiNatale, and Pirlo (with no Pazzini i might add) was better than anything i saw Spain muster against Switzerland. maybe they had some possession, but they couldn’t do shit. against Portugal, Spain’s attack looked like complete crap and git one goal in. the aforementioned Italian trio (without Pazzini) put 4 balls in the net.

sorry to say but i believe you and the rest of the world has been convinced by the mostly-British media-hype that Spain is all that and they play such a beautiful game.

and were they really challanged? Spain played Chile, Honduras and Switzeralnd, the two games they won were against sub par teams which are no longer even in contention.

Slovakia went on to another round and Paraguay are still in it.

if Lippi had coached the team properly, we could easily beat Spain. even under Donadoni, a completely unproven Italian coach, Spain had to beat us on pk’s.

keep believing the hype.

2. “I cant count how many names I’ve heard that should have been brought to South Africa. The names I’m hearing are players with marginal ability or players who are talented but are young with little or no playing experience.”

Cassano, Foggia, Maggio, Bocchetti, etc. all play regular club football at very high levels, and even Balotelli plays enough including in CL games which are more akin to WC games than are Serie A.

3. “The reason, I believe, that the Azzurri have been so successful over the decades at the World Cup is because of a philosophy regarding who they send to these major tournaments. The Italians have always sent players who are experienced, who play regularly for their clubs, and those who have big game experience.”

except that:

a. Lippi chose to call up Marchisio, Criscito, etc. and play them (over guys who are better players who do have expoerience, i.e. Motta, Maggio, etc.) when they do not fit your definition of experience

b. more than half of the ones he did call like Canavarro, Gattuso, etc. are too old and useless.

c. many of those like Iaquinta, Gilardino, Camoranesi who were experienced and not too old had horrible team form and are mediocre players.

for every player Lippi chose to start with the exception of Chiellini, Zambrotta, DeRossi and the partial case of DiNatale, i can think of a far better player he could have chosen.

gio,

heh. That did cross my mind. The Italians, when pushed, and I mean really pushed, can move the ball around as well as any. It’s just too bad we did that to ourselves.

I agree. Spain has not been pushed – funny I don’t see anyone saying Spain is lucky with their opponents. I mean look at it if they get past Paraguay. If Italy got that…oooo nelly! Lucky!

Italy stopped them because they go where the spaces are and shut them down. It’s called “negative” soccer apparently.

firefly,

i do think Spain have been a bit lucky and as of yet, have not really been tested.

as you say, even Paraguay are not a tough team, but i think Spain may be hard pressed to score against.

i predict another boring game of attack and absorb. Paraguay will likely try to defend, attack on the counter if there is any opportunity, but mostly, try to hold out and let it come to pk’s where they have probably the best chance to beat Spain.

the one thing is, people forget that before pk’s are ot and if they push the game into OT, Paraguay will likely have the advantage. if they spend most of the game defending and Spain spend it attacking, basically Paraguay should have more energy left over.

i doubt it will be an interesting game to watch and Spain, though a good team, may just revert to their past and choke.