Confederations Cup - Lippi told: Ditch the dinosaurs

Eurosport - Mon, 22 Jun 12:04:00 2009

The Italian media have urged coach Marcello Lippi to reconsider his policy of basing his side on players from the 2006 World Cup-winning squad following the humiliating exit from the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

2009 Confederations Cup Italy Fabio Cannavaro - 0

The world champions went out in the group stage on Sunday when Brazil outclassed them 3-0, three days after suffering their first-ever loss to Egypt.

Lippi's team, featuring eight World Cup winners in both the defeats, lacked ideas and looked fragile in defence, sparking alarm about their chances of defending the title next year.

"The hope is that this lesson serves (to spur) Lippi to return to South Africa in a year's time with another team," wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport in an article headlined 'Floored'.

"There is time to rebuild a team capable of defending the world title. It is necessary to accelerate the introduction of some youngsters, even though not all of the World Cup winners should retire."

Lippi anticipated calls for revamping the team, saying immediately after the elimination that it was necessary to gradually bring in younger players.

However, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said he did not see many youngsters in Serie A who could do better than the old guard.

Some argued not all of the alternatives to the 2006 squad were baby-faced.

"There is a great movement that offers dozens of players, young and old," wrote Mario Sconcerti in Corriere della Sera.

"The important thing is that they are assessed without prejudice."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. LIPPI GO AWAY!!GO HOME!!

    From , on Wed 24 Jun 1:43AM

  2. VERY GOOD UNDER 21!!!! THE FUTURE!! WELL DONE!!

    From , on Wed 24 Jun 1:42AM

  3. get rid of toni, iaqunita and camoranesi they are­ useless they cant score or even create chances­ especially toni he is absolutely useless the amount of­ chances he has in a game hes s**t and slow, start­ playing some youngsters who bring more pace to the­ team, also zambrotta has had his time i cant see why he­ doesnt try new players these players have had there­ chance and it clearly is not working, how many more­ times is toni going to play hes more like a defender.

    From angelo, on Tue 23 Jun 11:09PM

  4. It is important to keep some of the elders (Buffon,­ Pirlo, Cameronesi,...)in the starting line-up but they­ need some new creativity up front. De Ceglie, Balotelli­ and Giovinco are promising and why not persuade Totti­ and Del Piero as aces to guide these youngsters.

    From student00606, on Tue 23 Jun 10:35AM

  5. Come on Brazil !!! you Legends !

    From www.gmsport.co.uk, on Tue 23 Jun 5:33AM

  6. Italy is my favorite team always, I'm disappointed­ but I think the problem is in the style more than the­ players.
    Italy should focus on building back their­ defense strategies and be as solid as possible just­ like the world cup 2006. Beside they need to be faster­ . Also Lippi needs to find better strikers than­ Iaquinta, Gilardinio and Quagliarella. Italy has a­ problems in the forward players. However still early­ for the World Cup and I am optimistic & I trust­ Marcello Lippi.
    Pirlo& Pepe are the best players I­ can see

    From Rob, on Tue 23 Jun 3:51AM

  7. Wow. Pirlo is probably one of the better players in the­ games I saw.

    From E, on Mon 22 Jun 7:54PM

  8. italy try to solve too much through passes. They lack­ players who have the courage to take on the defence.­ They also need to be a lot more disciplined and­ organized at the back. Too many midfielders retreat all­ the way and becoming defenders...this gives the­ opposition the posibility to atack en'mase.

    From Vlad, on Mon 22 Jun 7:07PM

  9. an eye that will see till night dont start making dirt­ in the morning...renew the club or fire the coach is­ the only option. Egypt out played them so magnificent­ was Brazil over them too. Something is wrong with the­ Italy team. They embarrassed the title they holding....

    From Dynamic, on Mon 22 Jun 4:10PM

  10. lol 1 loss and stupid people like you want him fired.­ dumb!! give him a chance, im sure italy will learn from­ their mistakes

    From roderick_gatt, on Mon 22 Jun 1:20PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    LIPPI GO AWAY!! NOW
    CAPELLO BACK!!

    From , on Mon 22 Jun 12:26PM
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