Marcello Lippi has stuck with the tried and tested players who did the business four years ago in Germany, but an ageing defence and midfield will falter in Italy’s bid to defend their world crown.
It is an understatement to say that head coach Lippi is a traditionalist. Apart from the fact that he has kept his trust in a squad that is based on the ’06 winners, all but one of his 23-man squad are employed in Serie A, and the exception is World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro who joined Al-Ahli just before this tournament.
When the Italian coach pens his favourite XI there will be eight players over the age of 30 on the field, and that just won’t cut it against the best in the world.
Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluca Zambrotta are all past their peak and Lippi will have a hostile Italian media to deal with if he does not justify his exclusion of Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.
The Italians stuttered through qualification despite topping the group. A scoreless draw with Bulgaria and draws at home and away with ourselves were not deemed good enough by supporters.
The defending champions have been gifted the easiest group in South Africa. Slovakia, Paraguay and New Zealand are no-hopers and I for one won’t be getting too riled up by any of the fixtures in Group F.
In Italy’s favour, they will be stubborn and immensely difficult to break down, Gianluigi Buffon is still right up there with the top ‘keepers on the planet and Alberto Gilardino knows how to put a few away up front. However, the lack of a moody but masterful playmaker will disappoint fans and neutrals alike. If Francesco Totti can be good on the field, he’s great for the banter.
Star Player: Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo, on a good day, is a wonder to watch. He has been with AC Milan for almost a decade now, winning Champions League titles in ’03 and ’07 and claiming domestic honours with the ’04 Serie A winning side.
Touch, vision and pass are his main attributes and if he can’t get Italy rocking – nobody can. The 31-year-old is still the fulcrum of the team but there must be a doubt about his ability to last 90 minutes against decent opposition. He was leaden-footed in two Champions League games against Manchester United earlier this year, and if he underachieves in South Africa Italy will be ripe for the picking.
Manager: Marcello Lippi
Loyal to Italian club football, with a particular bias for Juventus players, Marcello Lippi is arguably one of the game’s greatest ever managers.
The 62-year-old’s main credentials speak for themselves: one World Cup (’06) with Italy, five Serie A titles (’95, ’97, ’98, ’02, ’03) and one Champions League title (’06) with his beloved Juventus, tally up for an impressive collection.
Lippi prides himself on team morale and eradicating individuality in the dressing room. It is a philosophy which has brought glory to his native country on the biggest of all stages.
Prediction: Quarter-finalists
It would a difficult task for Italy not to make it to the second round. Just look at their opponents. Ranging from 80/1 to 2000/1 in the bookies not one of them will cause an upset. No way.
Cameroon, if they finish second in Group E as we at JOE predict, might be a notch or two above what Italy face in the group stage but the Italians should still have enough to come through that one.
After that, a quarter-final with Spain looms large. Italy almost tripped up the Spaniards at the same stage of the European Championships two years ago but Spain can enjoy a more comfortable passage this time around.
Odds: 14/1
Irishness rating: 9/10
Devout Catholics and the owners of so many restaurants and chip-shops here (why do you never see a chippers in Italy?) means they’re almost like extended family. And if Trapattoni and Tardelli isn’t enough of a link, there’s always Tony Cascarino and Terry Mancini?
If they were a car they’d be…
Audi A8 – Massive engine and very stylish but liable to get knocked about by its competitors.
Â
