Italy Was Nothing But Massive Fail

In the wake of a long layoff, from writing, I return with something related to my last article: the Italian team.

In the wake of Italy's 3-0 battering at the hands of Brazil, serious questions now have to be thrown at Marcello Lippi, and his seemingly “impressive” system. For a man who's talked about moving on from 2006 euphoria to collect more glory, Lippi seems to be stuck in the past. I don't think he's aware of the fact that he's fielding a bunch of 30-year olds, half of which are has-beens, against a side with excruciating pace and technical ability, arguably one of the best in the world. That is just screaming for a defeat, and quite frankly the scoreline should have been more than 3-0.

Against the blinding magic of Kaka, Fabiano, Robinho and Maicon, Italy looked like hapless children. Veterans they might be, but Brazil's skill and speed made them look like kids, reminiscent of the Arsenal-Manchester United semifinal clash in Europe – which, if you remember right, was summed up as “11 men against 11 kids” by United wingback Patrice Evra.
While the quartet worked their magic, Felipe Melo (who is now being strongly considered as one of the best in his position) put in a brilliant shift at the heart of midfield. Meanwhile, Cesar and the back 4 had minimal damage to clean up, and they thoroughly enjoyed watching their pals upfront batter the helpless Italians. Had Dani Alves lined up for this game as well, I doubt that Brazil would score less than 4.

So now, games are games and they're over for the Azzurri, and Lippi has nothing left to do but head back to Italy and rethink. He goes home knowing that he left Guiseppe Rossi, the best Italian forward in the world, as a substitute. He goes home knowing that Vincenzo Iaquinta does not fit his system, Alberto Gilardino still underachieves, and that people are right about Luca Toni being way past his best. To improve for the return to South Africa, Lippi must think – and reshuffle – his ageing frontline. As the likes of Del Piero, Totti and Inzaghi vanish off into the sunset, this current crop has proven to be ineffective save Rossi, and new blood must be thrown into an Azzurri shirt for 2010.

First on the list is Mario Balotelli. Despite the fact that Balotelli is an arrogant, pompous brat who seems to have no respect for the elderly, you cannot deny that the kid's got talent. At club level he learns from the best of the best, and feeds from the best from the best in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He is a work in progress, but as of now he can be capable of standing up to the big boys of the international scene. For him to rise to greater heights with the Azzurri, though, he's got to integrate himself into this system first, and with more or less a year remaining, the time is right for Balotelli to play for the senior squad.

Next up is, surprisingly, someone not young – veteran striker Sergio Pellissier from Chievo. Pellissier enjoyed a fine season as Chievo had a good run, despite negative outlook at the start of the season. He does not have the proven star quality as any of the above mentioned strikers, but he is as good as they come. A potential late bloomer a la Grosso, he has impressed in recent time and Lippi must take note of the veteran.

Then there's Sebastian Giovinco. He has not appeared as often as someone of his talent should be, but that can be blamed on Claudio Ranieri's mind-boggling tactics. Explosive on the wing, the Atomic Ant has very good skills, and can score himself if the situation needed him to. He has been the spark of Italy's Under-21s, and the time is ripe for him to carry it over to the senior squad. One might wonder if the U21s would be depleted if Giovinco and Balotelli left, but it only makes the chance for other promising starlets to get used to the international game, such as Federico Macheda.

And last, but not least, there is Antonio Cassano. He's probably far away from South Africa, but must be the happiest man in the world right now. The best Italian forward so far in 2009, Fantantonio must be laughing as he watches that old coach who hates him fail miserably in a tournament they had high hopes. No Cassano, No Trophy, the Sampdoria striker would most likely say. And with good reason.

Italians, argue all you want about Cassano's attitude. Say all you want about Lippi's “team” tactic – what's that gotten you in recent time? Nothing. You've been outclassed by a rejuvenated Spain side, while the likes of England and the Netherlands are slowly rising up as serious contenders for the Cup. Go ahead and say that Cassano is “overrated”, only for yourself to find out how wrong you are. So long as Lippi continues this immature grudge, then you can honestly count Italy out of contention.

Is it harsh? Yes. But so long as Lippi refuses to adjust to the rest of the world, the Azzurri won't be defending their title in glorious fashion. By 2010, they'll look like a pile of rubbish, battered and bruised by real contenders.

For now, though, the name sticks – Marcello Lippi, the old fool.

Lippi's Squad a Resounding Cassa-NO Yet Again

Another selection process has passed for Italy coach Marcello Lippi, and much to no one's surprise, one name has been left out yet again.

Antonio Cassano must be wondering what he's been doing wrong in recent time that does not get him a call-up to represent the Azzurri. Fantantonio has arguably been the best Italian in Serie A since the start of 2009, but for the umpteenth time, he has been left out from the national squad. While there is an argument that Cassano is contradictory to Lippi's selfless, teamwork philosophy, it does not present much of an argument against Cassano's inclusion in the squad. Even if Cassano might not be fit in Lippi's first XI, he should at least be a player on the bench, as he is the type of player that will undoubtably change a game because of his one-man show.

Cassano, however, is not the only one left out. I'm sure alot of blogs and editorials have mentioned these, but I will mention them again for it shows some cracks in Lippi's selection. Roma's Matteo Brighi had an amazing season, and was definitely one of Roma's shining stars in an otherwise gloomy season. Yet he, like Cassano, has been snubbed. Angelo Palombo, who is essentially the same type of player as Brighi, did not have as good a season, yet it is he who will be traveling to South Africa. In the case of another player, Gaetano D'Agostino is out, and Riccardo Montolivo, despite his disappointing performances in recent time, is another player flying to South Africa.

Moving on from midfield, we take a look at the next place - the frontline. Luca Toni, the scapegoat of Bayern's struggles this season (many have claimed that he is slow and he is no longer the player he once was), as evidenced by his recent performances for Bayern Munich. Yet it is the veteran who, above Cassano, and even above Giampaolo Pazzini, is called up by Lippi. Surely, another of his selections that must be lookd upon.

As the Confederation Cup looms near, Italy are one of the favorites, but that is due more to their top reputation than their players heading to South Africa. From the looks of it, Brazil and Spain are fielding very strong squads, and there is not much criticism on their selection, unlike the Azzurri. Top it off with the Azzurri's tough group stage, and one could see the logic why Italy won't be winning that trophy. If they do lose, hope that Marcello Lippi gets a wake-up call, because change is needed for Italy to mount a serious bid come 2010.