Azzurri disappoint vs. Brazil, media still afraid of Lippi

By: Francesco | February 10th, 2009

So the big friendly everybody waited for lived up to it’s billing as an entertaining encounter, but it was entertaining for Brazil fans. Carlos Dunga’s side played a great match, a real samba style mixed with grit and determination. Italy, on the other hand, at times looked like San Marino (especially in the first half) but picked it up in the second (but still not playing up to par). We can safely say that Lippi’s starting XI was a mess. The choice to start Simone Pepe and Riccardo Montolivo ahead of Mauro Camoranesi and Simone Perrotta didn’t make much sense, and their performances proved it. In the 45 minutes they were on, does anyone remember Pepe or Montolivo doing anything at all of note? I don’t. For a nice recap of the game, check Julian’s Italy World Cup Blog.

First, this whole Simone Pepe on the national thing has to come to an end. OK, he’s a good player. OK, he went through a good patch of form in the beginning of the year when Udinese were playing great. But he is quite simply not a national team player. He doesn’t even play much for Udinese anymore, which shows that his form has slowed. Who would’ve thought Simone Pepe has 4 caps already for the Azzurri, and started a friendly vs. Brazil. I don’t think Pepe himself thought this would happen.

Montolivo has a little different story. The kid has talent. Lots of it. But he just hasn’t played to his potential yet. He’s only 23, but he better explode fast or else he’s just going to be an above average midfielder the rest of his career, not world class like he should be. He’s been playing well at Fiorentina recently, but when he puts on the blue shirt he disappears. He was invisible today. He played like he saw a ghost or something. He really needs to wake up.

Next, to Giuseppe Rossi. It was evident today when he came on that this kid has talent. Awesome personality and technical ability. Every time he got the ball it looked like he would do something good with it (and for the most part he did). What was the reasoning in starting Di Natale instead of Rossi? Di Natale is a great player, I’m not bashing him, but he’s been in a decline since September. Rossi has been awesome all season. It was apparent today that Rossi has to play a bigger part in the national team set-up from now on.

And now we come to the Cassano debate. Can Lippi just for once come out and give a straight answer about this situation? Cassano is literally carrying Sampdoria, he’s got his head on straight, and looks like a changed man. We all know when he’s in form he’s the best talent Italy has (well you’d have to choose between him and Totti). And let’s face it, this national team is missing the classic Italian “fantasista”, the player that can change the game at any second with one flick, kick, pass, shot, moment of magic, etc. Is solely judging a player’s past actions really a criteria for national team selection. Because correct me if I’m wrong but I thought current form was a pretty big factor. Maybe Cassano was right. Maybe Lippi will never call him up. But a little clarification on the situation would be nice Mr. Lippi.

And finally, the media. Ever since that magical night in 2006, Lippi is treated like a god by the Italian press. As soon as Donadoni was fired and Lippi was hired, immediately we saw the press everywhere going nuts and praising his return. But 6 months into his return I have to ask – has Lippi done any better than what Donadoni could’ve done? The answer quite simply is no, at least not yet. At least with Donadoni we’d have Cassano. The proof that the media loves him can be seen today in the post-match interviews. Lippi lost, and everyone was expecting the media to ask him pressuring questions like “Where’s Del Piero and Cassano?”, “What was that terrible formation in the beggining?”, “Why are players like Simone Pepe and Vincenzo Iaquinta on the national team if they don’t even play at their clubs?”. But no, none of that. Lippi is too much of a god to be asked such questions. Instead we get simple comments like “We played better in the second half, right Lippi?”, “Should Grosso’s goal have counted?”. Please, this is ridiculous. Yes the man won a World Cup, but there’s no need to be afraid of him and suck up to him. We as Italy fans need answers. And I’m afraid we won’t get them until something really bad happens.

And yes, I know, it was only a friendly. But it was a friendly vs. Brazil, Lippi said himself this game was important. I never thought I would start to lose interest in the national team, but I’m not going to lie over the past few months I kind of have. Thanks Marcello!