Comments on: Where’s Cassano? Lippi still won’t answer…

By: antenucci

antenucci — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:35:23 +0000

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.

By: Giovanni

Giovanni — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:52:36 +0000

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.

By: Moe Gyi

Moe Gyi — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:46:32 +0000

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.

By: Stasio

Stasio — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:07:14 +0000

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

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:01:05 +0000

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!

By: mohd

mohd — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:43:33 +0000

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

By: ricci

ricci — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:46:45 +0000

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

By: LorenzoRosanero

LorenzoRosanero — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:13:28 +0000

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…)

By: Nnahoj

Nnahoj — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:29:09 +0000

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!

By: Nnahoj

Nnahoj — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:20:47 +0000

Well then Lippi is an asshole.