ITALY - The Road to WC 2010

[dukeofdavinci]

Lippi sees bright future Wednesday 9 July, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marcello Lippi thinks the new breed of Italian talent can summon the spirit of 2006 and restore the Azzurri to the summit of international football.

After Roberto Donadoni’s reign ended in disappointment at Euro 2008, Lippi was reinstated as Coach.

The 60-year-old has the daunting task of rebuilding the side ahead of World Cup 2010, but he is confident that he has the necessary talent pool.

“I won’t name particular players, but I am optimistic,” Lippi told Stadio News.

“We have such a great Under-21 side – it’s one of the best in world football.

“I have seen these talented youngsters progressing recently and they will be our key men in the future.

“The World Cup win will be the basis from which to build this new side with a winning mentality.

“Berlin was the result of two years of hard work and we will have to restart from there when work begins on the new Italy.”

Italy’s first World Cup 2010 qualifier is against Cyprus on September 6 in Nicosia.

another sign we could we ll see some new lads coming in to the azzurri.great times ahead.

[D-Kin]

I don't think it's a case of we could, we will see them coming through.

We haven't got much of a choice to be honest with the average age of the current regulars.

[dukeofdavinci]

Toni: Lippi is the right man Friday 11 July, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Azzurri marksman Luca Toni has faith that Marcello Lippi will lead Italy back to winning ways.

The Viareggio native led Italy to World Cup glory in the summer of 2006, but his successor Roberto Donadoni was unable to extend the golden era.

After a miserable Euro 2008, Lippi is back at the helm and Toni thinks he can reverse La Nazionale’s fortunes.

“There’s lots of pressure, but he is the right choice and he will take things forward,” the Bayern Munich star said on Sport Sera.

“What went wrong at Euro 2008? We got off to a really bad start and we ran into a side that were on great form at the time.

“We turned things around well to get through the first round and we deserved to qualify for the knockout stages, but Spain were worthy winners of the competition.”

Lippi’s second coming begins with a friendly against Austria in France on August 20.

he's damn right about lippi guiding us, but he certainly needs to improve.

[dukeofdavinci]

Lippi anticipates Inter Scudetto Friday 11 July, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Italy boss Marcello Lippi has backed Inter to win the Scudetto and outlined his strategy to restore glory to the Azzurri.

There’s a fascinating Serie A campaign in prospect as Inter look to maintain their grasp on the crown but face a fight from Milan, Roma and Juventus.

However, Lippi has great respect for the Nerazzurri’s new boss Jose Mourinho and thinks the Portuguese man can deliver the silverware,

“I believe Inter will win the Scudetto again because I really like the Coach that Massimo Moratti has brought in,” Lippi told Tg5.

“Mourinho is a closed person, but when all the players speak so highly of a boss it means that he has sowed the seeds correctly.”

Lippi will be watching the new campaign with eager interest having been charged with the task of building another winning Italy side ahead of World Cup 2010.

“I want to rebuild a winning group and lots of the players who were at Euro 2008 will be there,” the 60-year-old said.

“I need to choose intelligent players who know how important it is to be a compact unit with united goals and to be playing for one another. Those were the qualities that allowed us to win the World Cup.”

not all of them i hope, or else it will be a sad day all over again.

[dukeofdavinci]

Lippi sets Amauri ultimatum Sunday 20 July, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marcello Lippi has warned Amauri to decide between Italy and Brazil. “We cannot be second choice for anyone.”

The Brazilian striker is applying for Italian citizenship and was asked to be part of the Azzurri by former boss Roberto Donadoni.


Amauri took his time and has still said he will not decide which country to play for until well into the new season, as he waits to see whether he’ll receive a call from the Selecao.


“I don’t like a player who skips between national sides for a month. When he finally does make a decision, it would inevitably seem like a second choice and Italy cannot be second choice for anyone,” the Coach told the Gazzetta dello Sport.


“I want to see a firm decision and ask nothing else. If he does become legally Italian and chooses us, I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed.”


Lippi is looking to the future of the Nazionale, but also to the recent past, as Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta potentially reconsider their decision to retire.


“I advise anyone never to give a definitive farewell to international football, as they might end up reconsidering like Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele.


“I’ll be paying close attention to the Olympic Games, as there are four or five players I’m keeping an eye on.”


Although he did not name them, the Gazzetta dello Sport suggests some of those ready to make the leap up from Under-21 level are Giuseppe Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino, Sebastian Giovinco, Robert Acquafresca and goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.


If there is one man guaranteed his spot with the Azzurri – and most likely the captain’s armband after wearing it intermittently at Euro 2008 – it’s Gianluigi Buffon.


“Gigi was the best confirmation we had during that tournament. He is Number One both on the pitch and in his statements.”


Buffon caused controversy with Donadoni when he publicly apologised on behalf of the team for their 3-0 defeat to Holland.

an ultimatum for one, wch was alredy due.

one man who deserves it most of all.glad to see a list of our youngsters ready to be given the chance.