The Official Italy WC Thread (20 Viewers)
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Italy suffer Gattuso blow Wednesday 7 June, 2006
Italy’s World Cup injury problems are mounting after Gennaro Gattuso was ruled out of action for the next 15 days.
The Azzurri are already without Gianluca Zambrotta for the Ghana opener, while Alessandro Nesta is struggling to be fit in time for Monday’s game.
Now the Milan midfielder is set to be sidelined for the next two weeks after suffering a problem with his right leg.
Gattuso underwent a number of tests in Florence this morning which confirmed that he had slightly torn a muscle.
“Gattuso will have to miss a game or two,” Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci told reports on Wednesday.
The former Rangers man was seemingly assured a starting place in the plans of boss Marcello Lippi.
But the tactician will now have to adapt his plans for the games against Ghana and USA, while hoping that the battling player will be ready for the final group tie against the Czech Republic on June 22.
Gattuso’s enforced absence will almost certainly see Daniele De Rossi drafted into the line-up even if he was already pushing for a place anyway.
The Roma youngster impressed in last week’s friendlies and he seems to be one of the outfit’s most in-form players.
Lippi will also have the option of introducing Roma’s Simone Perrotta or even Simone Barone of Palermo into the midfield.
Italy will fly out to Germany this afternoon with their plane scheduled to leave Pisa airport at 17.00 hours local time.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun7f.html
Italy’s World Cup injury problems are mounting after Gennaro Gattuso was ruled out of action for the next 15 days.
The Azzurri are already without Gianluca Zambrotta for the Ghana opener, while Alessandro Nesta is struggling to be fit in time for Monday’s game.
Now the Milan midfielder is set to be sidelined for the next two weeks after suffering a problem with his right leg.
Gattuso underwent a number of tests in Florence this morning which confirmed that he had slightly torn a muscle.
“Gattuso will have to miss a game or two,” Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci told reports on Wednesday.
The former Rangers man was seemingly assured a starting place in the plans of boss Marcello Lippi.
But the tactician will now have to adapt his plans for the games against Ghana and USA, while hoping that the battling player will be ready for the final group tie against the Czech Republic on June 22.
Gattuso’s enforced absence will almost certainly see Daniele De Rossi drafted into the line-up even if he was already pushing for a place anyway.
The Roma youngster impressed in last week’s friendlies and he seems to be one of the outfit’s most in-form players.
Lippi will also have the option of introducing Roma’s Simone Perrotta or even Simone Barone of Palermo into the midfield.
Italy will fly out to Germany this afternoon with their plane scheduled to leave Pisa airport at 17.00 hours local time.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun7f.html
Lippi leans towards 4-4-2 Tuesday 6 June, 2006
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As the countdown to the Ghana game continues, Italy boss Marcello Lippi tested two systems in training today – one with Francesco Totti and one without.
Although the Roma captain’s fitness levels are improving, there are still doubts as to whether he’ll be ready to start their World Cup opener on June 12 after his three months on the sidelines with a fractured ankle.
This afternoon the Azzurri Coach oversaw a game between ranks that experimented the two most likely alternatives for the Ghana clash.
In the first line-up, he used a four-man midfield with Mauro Camoranesi on the right, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso taking up the left flank. Luca Toni partnered Alberto Gilardino in the 4-4-2.
This, with defenders Massimo Oddo, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Grosso, will probably be the starting 11 against Ghana.
In the second half of this training session, Lippi maintained the same defence, but switched to a three-man midfield – Camoranesi, De Rossi and Simone Perrotta – with Totti in the hole behind Gilardino and Toni.
And so it begins, just like Trapatoni wimped out of what brought him success, it seems Lippi is doing the same thing. Incredible
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As the countdown to the Ghana game continues, Italy boss Marcello Lippi tested two systems in training today – one with Francesco Totti and one without.
Although the Roma captain’s fitness levels are improving, there are still doubts as to whether he’ll be ready to start their World Cup opener on June 12 after his three months on the sidelines with a fractured ankle.
This afternoon the Azzurri Coach oversaw a game between ranks that experimented the two most likely alternatives for the Ghana clash.
In the first line-up, he used a four-man midfield with Mauro Camoranesi on the right, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso taking up the left flank. Luca Toni partnered Alberto Gilardino in the 4-4-2.
This, with defenders Massimo Oddo, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Grosso, will probably be the starting 11 against Ghana.
In the second half of this training session, Lippi maintained the same defence, but switched to a three-man midfield – Camoranesi, De Rossi and Simone Perrotta – with Totti in the hole behind Gilardino and Toni.
And so it begins, just like Trapatoni wimped out of what brought him success, it seems Lippi is doing the same thing. Incredible
If Lippi was really thinking about the 4-4-2, I think he should change his mind now.
Gattuso distraught by injury Wednesday 7 June, 2006
Injured Italian hardman Gennaro Gattuso admits he almost broke down into tears after being told that he would be sidelined for the next two weeks.
The Milan man was today informed that he would miss the start of the World Cup Finals as a result of a muscle problem which he picked up in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Switzerland.
“When I came out of the hospital this morning I just wanted to cry, then I saw on old man in the street and realised there are more serious problems in this world,” he said.
“I have to admit that I am deeply disappointed inside, but I have to stay positive for the rest of the squad.
“Being sidelined for 10 to 15 days is an eternity for me, but I usually have a very quick recovery time.”
Gattuso is now expected to miss the games against Ghana and USA, but is hoping to be fit for the Czech Republic tie.
There were suggestions that Gattuso may even be withdrawn from the squad, but both the Coach and the player have rubbished that claim.
“I’ll replace him on the pitch, but not in the squad,” said Marcello Lippi. “He will stay with us. It’s often better to pick up injuries now rather than in the competition.”
Gattuso responded: “Even if Lippi decided to send me home then I would have chained myself to the team bus. You would have had to call the police to take me away.”
Gattuso becomes the Azzurri’s third injury victim with Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Nesta both set to miss the Ghana opener.
“I’ve never been superstitious, but it does seem as if someone has cast a spell on us,” the midfielder concluded.
Gattuso distraught by injury Wednesday 7 June, 2006
Injured Italian hardman Gennaro Gattuso admits he almost broke down into tears after being told that he would be sidelined for the next two weeks.
The Milan man was today informed that he would miss the start of the World Cup Finals as a result of a muscle problem which he picked up in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Switzerland.
“When I came out of the hospital this morning I just wanted to cry, then I saw on old man in the street and realised there are more serious problems in this world,” he said.
“I have to admit that I am deeply disappointed inside, but I have to stay positive for the rest of the squad.
“Being sidelined for 10 to 15 days is an eternity for me, but I usually have a very quick recovery time.”
Gattuso is now expected to miss the games against Ghana and USA, but is hoping to be fit for the Czech Republic tie.
There were suggestions that Gattuso may even be withdrawn from the squad, but both the Coach and the player have rubbished that claim.
“I’ll replace him on the pitch, but not in the squad,” said Marcello Lippi. “He will stay with us. It’s often better to pick up injuries now rather than in the competition.”
Gattuso responded: “Even if Lippi decided to send me home then I would have chained myself to the team bus. You would have had to call the police to take me away.”
Gattuso becomes the Azzurri’s third injury victim with Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Nesta both set to miss the Ghana opener.
“I’ve never been superstitious, but it does seem as if someone has cast a spell on us,” the midfielder concluded.
love it 
