Where’s Cassano? Lippi still won’t answer…

Buffon is why Italy won the world cup in 2006 not cannavaro. i taped every game and not a game went by that Buffon didn't make an incredible save. The team rallied around him, he made every counter attack have that much more adrenaline.

Don't forget that Cassano was let loose for the poor Euro 2008 team and was, well, unremarkable. Those who compare Cassano to Messi are going a little over the top, but let's see where Argentina is despite picking all all its best talent? Fact is, and Lippi gets this, an incredible national side is far more than the sum of its parts. The parts have to fit together and that is how he won the 2006 world cup and it is how he will defend the title in South Africa. Italy is not lacking for talent to call up. Like Argentina, they could field two world class teams if they wanted to, but the difference between the two countries is picking the right mix (just look at England when they put Lampard and Gerrard together). Every team needs its role players, not just its glittering stars: you need hard-working holding mid-fielders to control the match (Camoranesi and Gattuso in 06). You need a bruiser to operate the dark arts in defense (Materazzi). Yes, you need talented strikers, absolutely and Italy has plenty of options without Cassano if he is not a team player: Amauri could work (once his citizenship goes through), Toni, Rossi, even Giovinco and Balotelli if you want more youth. Plus, once healthy, I'd call up Totti over Cassano any day. Cassano is great, but if Lippi, a proven coach if ever there was one, doesn't like him, it will be fine.

Azzurri doesn't need Cassano. If he's called up, an additional force for Italia, but the main core stands upon Pirlo and Rossi, the better choice than Cassano I think.

Italy (probable): Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Pirlo, Palombo, De Rossi; Di Natale, Iaquinta, Quagliarella

Italy (Stasio Coach): Buffon; Motta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Pirlo, Palombo, De Rossi; Rossi, Iaquinta, Pazzini....

I would have Cassano at my disposal..not sure if Pazzini and Inquanta can play together but he worked well with Trez so id give it a shot

mohd. An interesting point, but i'm sure Lippi realises that the 1994 team only managed to get to the World Cup Final because of Baggio. No Baggio, no Final. And they only lost on penalties!

In any case, often world cups MAKE a player into their team's indiviudal star. In 1982 Italy became a one man team, even if they didnt start as one: Paolo Rossi won the golden boot with 6 goals, and won the European and World Player of the Year.

World Cups are just as often won by the brilliance of individuals: Zidane, Ronaldo, Romario, Maradona, Muller etc. They carried their teams to victory.

A lot of people by the end of 2006 were pointing fingers at Cannavaro. He won the World Player of the Year because he dragged Italy to victory.

Lippi must know that picking players of a mediocre ability for the sake of consistency is not a secret recipe for success!

you know i have been thinking a lot about this lately and i think i have an answer for why lippi does not call cassano?
i think that lippi does not want to build a team around one plyer that the media focus on becuase from experince italy when they have a team build like that they do not won anything just like riva in 1970 and baggio 1994
you see when italy played by teams that do not have players that you point your finger to they won like the 82 and 06 teams we had a punch of excellent players but not a one team player

Only thing Caracciolo bags is groceries at the local A&P

Marco - Unfortunately, whatever he does will "not be enough" for Lippi. He could win the best sportsman of the year and that won't mean squat. Yet, that's the way Lippi operates. I mean, clearly there are other players who know that they won't make the NT due to the coach at the helm. But, hey, that's just the way it is.

In THIS case, it IS different because of the lack of options that we have. Totti? Retired. Del Piero isn't the same spring chicken he used to be - plus his Azzurri performances minus one or two leave something to be desired.

It's been said several times already, but the ONLY reason Pazzini even came within a sniff of the NT is due to CASSANO. Seriously, even Caracciolo would be banging in goals by the bucket if he had Antonio's services (well...maybe i shouldn't go THAT far...)

Depriving the team of much needed creativity and "joie de vivre" and depriving a talented individual (who deserves it) of the chance to represent his country over a hypothetical is just ridiculous and childish.

Chris makes a great point. For the NT he has always been on his best behaviour, more so than other regulars. I remember during the '06 WC, Del Piero kicked out at an opposing player in a training match due to frustration and Lippi reprimanded him, yet Lippi had no problem selecting him subsequently.

Lippi is just being a dick. There is absolutely no good reason for leaving out Cassano. None!

Well then Lippi is an asshole.

Lorenzo, clearly that's not enough for Lippi. It'll take a lot more than that for him to cross Cassano off his 'black book'.

Cassano's freakout sessions have been nonexistent this year. There is no need to keep him out of the national team - especially given our lack of options.

This "what if" game we are playing here is of no use. His behavior at Euro 08 was exemplary. So, enough with this nonsense.

ta but chris de rossi, totti, and materazzi have wayy more caps than cassano's mere 15 which give them more chances to get a worse disciplinary record

look at Cassano's play and reaction to the teams exit in Euro 2004, he cares about the Azzurri more than anything, and will not take a chance of losing his spot shoud he ever make the team. There have been a number of guys w/ hot heads when they put on the blue, and he's not one of them -

In the few times Cassano has worn the Italy shirt, his discipline has been fine. In fact, his discipline has been head and shoulders above Totti's, Mattarazzi's and De Rossi's.

Cassano is not where he should be...in a restraining vest at a mental clinic! The national team can easily deal without him.

I wish Balotelli wasn't a complete jerk. I know he's a kid, and its understandable, but lets hope he comes around. He is a great player, and he deserves to be called Italian, way more than Amauri ever could wish to be. Balotelli, and Rossi fed by Cassano ? Giovinco integrated, w/ de rossi in Mid ? Come on, its unbeatable. If only Mexes were Italian....

I would love to see Cassano playing with Rossi and Pazzini. Put 3 steely midfielders (Brighi, De Rossi, Palombo) behind them. That's a 4-3-3 I could get behind.

Bravo Itanio, im happy somebody actually has their eyes open when they watch Serie A. Rossi I agree 100% as well. Luca Toni ? He's lucky he played on 06

Discipline's the problem? Then why not give him one chance. Just one to prove he is disciplined enough? And if he does something insanely horrid, causing a brawl leading to a conflict within the team spirit, then he's off.

We need this guy. The reason why we have no game plan (except launching long balls forward) is due to the fact that there's no true trequartista on the squad. With Totti gone, and Giovinco too young and inexperienced, Cassano's the only genuine contender.

Imagine Cassa and Rossi.
My god. No defense would stop them.

(Sorry I can't spell, im pissed, so im typing fast)

If you truly believe that Cassano should not make this team, then I think you have NO idea what you are talking about. This is (whether you like it or not) the most creative and naturally gifted offensive player born on the peninsula since baggio. He IS creativity, he IS talent, and he IS what makes Italy great.

He's calm, and being too arrogant not to swallow your pride and finally take someone because you've been declining to do so for so long (and now you have an escalating issue of Lippi's ego) is just making matters worst. God, even Pazzo said that he made the team because he plays next to this guy. Its insulting.

Take Cassano, and take the 2010 trophy

adp used to beat people one on one...

I think Cassano and ADP are pretty much the only Italian players who can REALLY dribble and get by opponents one on one (or one on two etc..) and he really needs a call up.

well said marco p.
well put
the azzurri dunt need cassasno anyway, they have too much classs

The reason? Very easy to guess lads. Discipline discipline discipline. Cassano is way too much of a loose cannon to be allowed on the national team.

I for one, would argue that his crazy antics from the past are.. well, in the past. I would forgive him, and give him a chance. Given the immense talent of the boy, it's worth a shot. At the same time I understand why Lippi has reservations. Somebody whose psyche is so obviously fragile as to be capable of "losing it" at a moment's notice, is not someone you want to have on your team (despite all that he could bring to the team technically etc).

Not to mention that Cassano himself, attributed his change of heart and recent "good boy" behaviour to finally having found love with water polo athlete Carolina Marcialis. What if they break up before 2010? Will he go berserk again? It's a chance that Lippi can't afford (and doesn't want) to take.

Cassano has been more disciplined this season than say, De Rossi or Totti.

I've said it before, Cassano is going to have to pull a Del Piero to get called up, otherwise he has zero chance.

Perhaps Lippi doesn't know which way to go with the team, and Cassano being such a polarizing figure, he wants to see how the team works without him, then add Cassano if needed. Although, Cassano is obviously needed, and has show much growth maturity wise.

It's a crime. It's almost laughable that Pazzini makes this team when it is painfully obvious to everyone who follows calcio that Pazzini's rebirth is almost entirely owed to Cassano. Without him, Pazzini doesn't bag even a quarter of the goals he's scored so far.

Pepe's inclusion into this squad is an embarassment. I keep wondering when Lippi is going to include Cassano - thinking that he's just waiting for a "big game" to bring him into the squad. Well, I guess I'm no longer wondering - these games all count towards qualification, there's no "waiting" any longer.