we are notoriously slow starters. Paraguay was always going to be a tough game, and it was...to a degree. But we certainly were not outplayed by them. Just a case of not really playing until a goal down...You can say the same about the NZ game. But their goal could very easily have been ruled offside. And they hardly threatened at all for the rest of the game, whereas Italy DID threaten, DID deserve at least a draw, really the win, and it was our tactical errors, rather than a lack of talent or determination, which lost us the two points. A big pat on the back to the kiwis...they got a goal which was likely illegimate, then shut up shop and demanded 'come on then, italy..break us down'...break them down, we did, but not with enough cutting edge.
All this Lippi talk of Family, of Team Spirit...great for theory, but diluted and flimsy in substance.
I read in the Martinez thread several posts regarding his lack of inclusion in the uruguay outfit...well...If i knew nothing of cassano these last two seasons, and we signed him, i would perhaps be thinking the same thing...'why cant he even get in the national squad???'...but sometimes, the most talented players, are not picked, due to personal reasons..such as a Manager has gone berserk, got too intoxicated by his own success, and fails to see things objectively. This is Lippi.
Not only was his selection, at best...functional. But his complete failure to make a team, tactically and personnel wise, during qualification, has come back to haunt us now. The group games are not the time to be experimenting. they are not the time to be playing CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS as WINGERS. These are basic errors. For which Lippi shoulders all the blame.
If the players are confused, and dont have set roles, drilled into them, day after day, game after game, it makes it very hard for a coach to ask them to do anything at all...for they have no form, no rhythm, just what is asked of them on the day.
Its a shame...but not a surprise, that we are struggling. This Italy team, could be far better, but nowhere near the argies and brazilians.
All is not lost. we will likely scrape through, but i wont be staying up until 630am to watch more of this pointless 'lippi experiment'.