PRETORIA, 14 June 2009 - We are in Pretoria and Lippi has selected his "Pretorian" Azzurri, seasoned, not old; confident, not in decay. In sum, on the eve of their debut in the Confederations Cup, Lippi relies on his veteran players, a group that has never let him down, while preparing for his next sports fight, the match against the United States.
ITALY'S CONDITION "We'll see tomorrow; but we are so ready! We really want to do well and this is a great group of lads, but it's useless to speak before the match. We must win and if possible, play well. We want to show that Italian football is always at top level. Italian football is not represented by individual teams, but rather by its National side."
THE U.S. "They are a different squad from the one that participated in the World Cup. The manager's son, who plays in midfield, is very good and they have, as usual, Donovan, Demsey and Beasley. They play in a 4-4-2 formation, with Donovan as a support player. Their physical form is great and we must watch out for them."
WORLD CHAMPIONS "My 'oldies'? Perhaps I didn't take into consideration the average age of the other teams. Ours is 28.5 years and is not too different from the average age of the other teams. They are only a bit younger than us, but I'm not worried. I have complete faith in my players. In the next few months we will include some Under 21 players. If I had to win a championship, I wouldn't have selected these players, but considering their quality in a 30-40-day tournament, I don't think there are many squads in the world that could be stronger than us right now. My lads are very eager to win."
CHARGED-UP "Yes, because I have watched the opening ceremony today, with the flags, and my hands became clammy."
SPAIN They have never won the World Cup and they have just won their first European Cup. They have built on their youth but it took them 6-7 years to win. Our football is not inferior to Spain's or Brazil's. Can we close the gap? What gap? We are the world champions."
LOGISTICS "We have been here for a week and the last bad thing we've encountered has been the weather, although that was just at the beginning. The weather is better now and the rest is perfect."
THE GREAT ONES "The Berlusconi-Obama meeting? It's not easy to rule the world. I hope we do it seriously and to the best of our abilities."
TONI-GILARDINO "Do I have doubts about which one to select? No, I don't have any doubts. I think that Legrottaglie, albeit not in his best form, will also be available."
From our Gazzetta.it correspondent Riccardo Pratesi (http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/14-06-2009/lippi-is-confident-we-are-eager-and-skilled-50529852998.shtml)
Showing posts with label Marcello Lippi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marcello Lippi. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Lippi Takes Over as Italy Coach Again
ROME (AP)—Marcello Lippi gave up a life of leisure to return as Italy’s national team coach, less than two years after guiding the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup title.
“Naturally, I’m very happy to pick up where I left off. But picking up where I left off also means that the Euros didn’t go so great, or I would still be on the beach in Viareggio,” the well-tanned Lippi said at a news conference Tuesday, referring to his hometown on the Tuscan seaside.
Lippi was rehired last week when Roberto Donadoni’s contract was terminated after Italy lost to eventual champion Spain on penalty kicks in the European Championship quarterfinals last month.
“We’re still the World Cup champions. We’ve got the team that won the Club World Cup (AC Milan). We have a top under-23 squad. And we are one of the favorites for the Olympics,” Lippi added. “The world of Italian football should hold its head high.”
Lippi’s first task it to qualify Italy for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Azzurri are grouped with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland and Montenegro, with the group winner advancing and the second-place team most likely going to a playoff.
“These last two years were not completely lost,” Lippi said. “A large number of players from the World Cup stayed in the group, and Donadoni inserted some key new players.”
Italy looked old, slow and overly defensive, and no Italian forward scored at the Euros.
“We’ve got to show a bit of daring in certain situations, like in the semifinal with Germany, when I put four forwards on,” Lippi said, recalling the 2-0 extra-time win in the World Cup semifinals. “We’re going to try and show some aggressive football right away.”
Lippi resigned immediately after leading Italy to its fourth World Cup title in Berlin, largely because he was uncomfortable that he and his son had been linked to the Italian match-fixing scandal.
“I would never have left if it wasn’t in the middle of that situation,” Lippi said. “It was very tough to see my name and family members linked to those things. At that time, it wasn’t possible to continue. Now the situation is different, the discussion is open and we’ve gotten through that period.”
Lippi’s first game back in charge will be an exhibition against Austria on Aug. 20 at Nice, France.
Text Source: By ANDREW DAMPF, AP Sports Writer (http://sports.yahoo.com/) - http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AlbvRfcxlcqpIkbEUtQ1S3smw7YF?slug=ap-italy-lippi&prov=ap&type=lgns
“Naturally, I’m very happy to pick up where I left off. But picking up where I left off also means that the Euros didn’t go so great, or I would still be on the beach in Viareggio,” the well-tanned Lippi said at a news conference Tuesday, referring to his hometown on the Tuscan seaside.
Lippi was rehired last week when Roberto Donadoni’s contract was terminated after Italy lost to eventual champion Spain on penalty kicks in the European Championship quarterfinals last month.
“We’re still the World Cup champions. We’ve got the team that won the Club World Cup (AC Milan). We have a top under-23 squad. And we are one of the favorites for the Olympics,” Lippi added. “The world of Italian football should hold its head high.”
Lippi’s first task it to qualify Italy for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Azzurri are grouped with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland and Montenegro, with the group winner advancing and the second-place team most likely going to a playoff.
“These last two years were not completely lost,” Lippi said. “A large number of players from the World Cup stayed in the group, and Donadoni inserted some key new players.”
Italy looked old, slow and overly defensive, and no Italian forward scored at the Euros.
“We’ve got to show a bit of daring in certain situations, like in the semifinal with Germany, when I put four forwards on,” Lippi said, recalling the 2-0 extra-time win in the World Cup semifinals. “We’re going to try and show some aggressive football right away.”
Lippi resigned immediately after leading Italy to its fourth World Cup title in Berlin, largely because he was uncomfortable that he and his son had been linked to the Italian match-fixing scandal.
“I would never have left if it wasn’t in the middle of that situation,” Lippi said. “It was very tough to see my name and family members linked to those things. At that time, it wasn’t possible to continue. Now the situation is different, the discussion is open and we’ve gotten through that period.”
Lippi’s first game back in charge will be an exhibition against Austria on Aug. 20 at Nice, France.
Text Source: By ANDREW DAMPF, AP Sports Writer (http://sports.yahoo.com/) - http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AlbvRfcxlcqpIkbEUtQ1S3smw7YF?slug=ap-italy-lippi&prov=ap&type=lgns
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Official: Lippi 'New' Italy Coach
The Italian Football Federation has confirmed that Marcello Lippi has been named as the new coach of Italy, succeeding Roberto Donadoni whose two-year reign ended earlier today.
Donadoni’s position became virtually
untenable after Italy crashed out of Euro 2008 at the quarter final stage to Spain on Sunday night.
The Italian media have long since claimed that Lippi had already been lined up as his replacement, and the FIGC have now confirmed the 60-year-old’s return.
”Marcello Lippi returns to guide the Italian national team,” a statement reads.
“The president of the FIGC Giancarlo Abete has appointed a new national team coach of the Azzurri in place of Roberto Donadoni. Lippi will be presented next Tuesday, July 1, in a press conference in Rome.”
The Italian Football Federation has confirmed that Marcello Lippi has been named as the new coach of Italy, succeeding Roberto Donadoni whose two-year reign ended earlier today.
Lippi has been on a two year sabbatical since winning the World Cup with Italy in the summer of 2006.
The 60-year-old has stated on numerous occasions that he would be returning to the bench in time for next season, and he will lead the Azzurri into their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, hoping to retain the title he won in Germany.
Lippi is expected to bring Ciro Ferrara and Angelo Peruzzi as part of his backroom staff. The latter, who was second choice goalkeeper at the last World Cup will act as a unifying force in the dressing room.
Lippi should also confirm coach Narciso Pezzotti, goalkeeping coach Ivano Bordon, and doctor Enrico Castellacci.
Text Source: Anthony Sormani (Goal.com) http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=752824
Image Source: Goal.com
Donadoni’s position became virtually
untenable after Italy crashed out of Euro 2008 at the quarter final stage to Spain on Sunday night. The Italian media have long since claimed that Lippi had already been lined up as his replacement, and the FIGC have now confirmed the 60-year-old’s return.
”Marcello Lippi returns to guide the Italian national team,” a statement reads.
“The president of the FIGC Giancarlo Abete has appointed a new national team coach of the Azzurri in place of Roberto Donadoni. Lippi will be presented next Tuesday, July 1, in a press conference in Rome.”
The Italian Football Federation has confirmed that Marcello Lippi has been named as the new coach of Italy, succeeding Roberto Donadoni whose two-year reign ended earlier today.
Lippi has been on a two year sabbatical since winning the World Cup with Italy in the summer of 2006.
The 60-year-old has stated on numerous occasions that he would be returning to the bench in time for next season, and he will lead the Azzurri into their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, hoping to retain the title he won in Germany.
Lippi is expected to bring Ciro Ferrara and Angelo Peruzzi as part of his backroom staff. The latter, who was second choice goalkeeper at the last World Cup will act as a unifying force in the dressing room.
Lippi should also confirm coach Narciso Pezzotti, goalkeeping coach Ivano Bordon, and doctor Enrico Castellacci.
Text Source: Anthony Sormani (Goal.com) http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=752824
Image Source: Goal.com
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