Blog: Lippi's lame ducks
Marcello Lippi’s Brazil friendly squad confuses Susy Campanale – no Ale Del Piero, but Mauro Camoranesi and Vincenzo Iaquinta?
What year does Marcello Lippi think it is? I am beginning to fear he suffered a knock to the head when the World Cup trophy fell on him during the Berlin celebrations and eternally believes it is July 2006. I can think of no other reason to call players like Vincenzo Iaquinta and Mauro Camoranesi at a time when not only are they not playing well, they’re not playing at all.
Not getting enough first team football at club level is used as an excuse not to call up players rather than some spurious reason to get them match fit again. How embarrassed must those two be right now in the Juventus locker room, trying not to look Alessandro Del Piero in the eye for fear of catching a glare from those steely brown eyes? They know what he’s thinking, because we’re all thinking it, too.
Alex has been single-handedly keeping Juve afloat in recent months and was Capocannoniere for two consecutive terms in Serie B and A. He takes the best free kicks in Serie A and is adapting to the trequartista role when needed. He always works hard and never grumbles. You’d think he was the perfect man to have along in the Italy squad. Certainly of more use than Camo or Iaquinta.
It is not just any friendly test, it is one against old rivals Brazil, so bringing in a set of newbies like on-form Atalanta striker Sergio Floccari would’ve been a little hasty. But for a substitute’s role,
a Floccari or a Fabrizio Miccoli may well have brought something new to the table.
Is there any real benefit from fielding the same old – very old, positively geriatric – faces when not 100 per cent fit instead of trying out some genuine alternatives? We get it, Lippi, we know you will always include those two and that the name Antonio Cassano doesn’t exist in your world. There’s no need to hammer it home with these pointless picks.
Source: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/sc54.html
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I really don't understand Lippi, if he wants to try some new players than he shouldn't call-up Di Natale, it's a shame to watch someone like him and Del Piero
