By Anna Italia
Covering the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa from an Italian Perspective



      Countdown for Italy ... few hours to QUALIFY OR BE ELIMINATED


                          Italy - Brazil   
                                                

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This is it guys!   Countdown to one day for the big clash ITALY - BRAZIL.  The moment of truth for Italy to win or to win! 

Surprise, surprise, surprise.. no Italian players of the National team were present in the press conference only Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi talking on behalf of the team. "Silenzio stampa"

According to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) it is only a temporary decision just for today.  The players rather decided to concentrate on the match with only one more day. Players will return to talk to the press tomorrow after the match against Brazil.  A similar decision in 1982 when the entire team decided not to talk to the press adopting the "Silenzio Stampa."

Well, guys, I hope this SILENCE will really be worth it and Italy win tomorrow against Brazil with more than 2 gols. If not, I will be really super mad!!!  And you?




Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi during the press conference. Photo AP / La Presse

IRENE (SUDAFRICA),  June 20, 2009 -  Guys, this is what is going one with Italy right now.  Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi insists on using the tridente "Mauro Camoranesi, Luca Toni, and Vincenzo Iaquinta."   Hum??? What????!!!!

Guys, I don't know what to think anymore about Luca Toni.  Luca keeps having chance after chance but not showing a comeback or making a difference in the team.  I understand Lippi on thinking about "aerial games" and Luca is perfect. Yet, are we willing to risk the whole 3 points on one opportunity with an aerial shot?  NO!  I don't think so.  I rather see at this point either Giuseppe Rossi or Fabo Quagliarella instead of Luca Toni.  What about you?  I think even Alberto Gilardino will be better.

It's too bad that Italy and Villareal forward Giuseppe Rossi could not score in the match against Egypt and now Lippi not convinced on giving him another chance in the starting line up based on the trainings.  My question is that neither Luca Toni gave a convincing performance against Egypt and he is in the starting line up?  I want to hear from you guys.  What are your thoughts on this OFFENSE issue.



TRAINING in SOUTHDOWNS COLLEGE. Saturday, June 20, 2009.

-  Lippi tries the 4-3-3 formation and also a 4-3-2-1 formation "the Christmas tree formation."

a. The 4-3-3 includes the tridente Camoranesi - Toni - Iaquinta.  Here is some hint in favor of Giuseppe Rossi because Lippi substituted Iaquinta for Rossi. It means that Rossi will be the second option in case of substitution against Brazil or maybe Lippi decides to start with Rossi instead of Iaquinta.

b.  DEFENSE: Lipi tested in the starting lineup Cannavaro, Chiellini, and Dossena.  Wow, bam! Surprise, surprise, Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso not in the starting line up... wow, the vecchietti might be out and Lippi might give a space to young FC Inter forward Davide Santon.

c. MIDFIELD: Lippi might replace Gennaro Gattuso giving space to Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. Andrea Pirlo will move to the right. Here is where Italy must work hard and put the best players.  We need a strong and fit midfield to create gol opportunities for our offense. Gattuso is barely reaching his top shape after being so many months in recovery period.  I might go ahead with Montolivo.   Yet, I might choose Gattuso since there are 2 Milan guys in the opposite team and he already knows how Pato works and also the EX AC MILAN Kaka... 

- Lippi is upset about the critics from the press saying that  some of the Italian team players are "mummies." BAM!  In a sense, I agree with Lippi because it is a lack of respect for the players who are over 30 years old and giving so much for Italy.  After all, it is not their fault if being in shape and called up by Lippi to play for Italy.

Lippi limited himself to say, "What's the point on listening about calling the Azzurri "mummies"? No effect. Watch out because the mumies at times can unwrap those bandages. This team has still hunger to win just like in the World Cup."

-  Lippi make his disappointment obvious to press by saying "I am sorry about this negative situation because we thought to deserve something better."  HUM???  Ok, guys, maybe the press exaggerated their critics by calling the nazionale "mummies." Yet, the way Italy played and lost to an Arab team had to create critics.  Egypt waited 55 years to beat Italy!!!!  Italy losing for the first time in Africa, you bet people were upset.

Here are the photos from the training today Saturday, June 20, 2009 preparing against Brazil.

Let's start the REAL TEST and see who is ready to be in the starting line up against Brazil. Lippi is distributing the uniforms.



Italy and Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo and  Villareal forward Giuseppe Rossi sweating to  earn their place in the staring lineup.




Marcello Lippi giving some "key instructions" to Italy and FC Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, one of the Campioni of the 2006 World Cup.  It seems like saying to Camoranesi that he is one of the vecchietti as referred by the press and that he must show he is still in form by playing his best game.  Hey, I AM FOR IT.. Forza Camoranesi!!!!   let's rock against Brazil!!!!  PO PO PO PO PO PO PO.



Here is the SERIOUS MOMENT, the PEP TALK... time to deliver a super motivational speech to the Azzurri.  Wow, guys, start your prayers and let's send our positive energy to Italy National team.   Come on guys, we are cheering for you!!!! 



Training time for the  "practice match game"  and it is now where players must show they ear n spot inthe starting line up.



Here is Italy and Fiorentina forward Alberto Gilardino giving his best during the practice match game.  You bet Gilardino would love to be in the starting line up against Brazil.  




Andrea Pirlo, Riccardo Montolivo, Giuseppe Rossi and Giorgio Chiellini... it's a battle.  COME ON ROSSI!!!!!!   You got to  make a difference against Brazil.  FORZA!!!!!!  PIRLO we need your Swiss Precision PASSES... don't miss and let's read the match well.




AZZURRI.... this it for you .... my best wishes and I BELIEVE IN YOU GUYS!!!!!  COME ON!!!!

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Click here to buy your Italy Confederations Cup Home Soccer Jersey

What do you think of Lippi's declarations and the decision of the players for the "silence"?
How about the training, who should be the FORWARDS in the starting line up?  Do you want Toni, Rossi, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Quagliarella and why?

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