The Official Italy WC Thread (16 Viewers)
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Maldini sees Azzurri success
Thursday 8 June, 2006
Former Italy captain Paolo Maldini insists that Brazil are the only team at the World Cup with more ability than the Azzurri.
Although few neutrals are backing Marcello Lippi’s boys to make an impact at Germany 2006, the legendary stopper is remaining optimistic.
"In my opinion, we are inferior only to Brazil, and we have a solid group which counts for a lot,” the Milan man told daily newspaper La Repubblica.
"The negative experiences [in World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004] have helped us to get going again.”
Italy’s build up to the championship hasn’t been the easiest given the Calciopoli scandal which has affected the game.
Yet Maldini believes that the 23-man squad will be able to solely focus on footballing matters and leave the troubles behind them for the next month.
"I think the squad can stay out of it. The matches will be an important moment to refocus attention on the sport," added the 37-year-old.
"As for the scandal, we cannot pretend that nothing has happened. We must not be afraid to discover everything there is to discover.
"To get everything cleared up is necessary, because kids must be certain that football is a serious thing."
Maldini also backed Fabio Cannavaro to keep the captaincy despite calls from some quarters for him to step down after he was questioned by magistrates last week.
"A captain has to take on a lot of things, but Fabio has big shoulders,” he said. “He is already at his third World Cup. What can I teach him?"
Maldini handed Cannavaro the armband as the Rossoneri hero retired from the international game after appearing in his fourth World Cup in 2002.
Thursday 8 June, 2006
Former Italy captain Paolo Maldini insists that Brazil are the only team at the World Cup with more ability than the Azzurri.
Although few neutrals are backing Marcello Lippi’s boys to make an impact at Germany 2006, the legendary stopper is remaining optimistic.
"In my opinion, we are inferior only to Brazil, and we have a solid group which counts for a lot,” the Milan man told daily newspaper La Repubblica.
"The negative experiences [in World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004] have helped us to get going again.”
Italy’s build up to the championship hasn’t been the easiest given the Calciopoli scandal which has affected the game.
Yet Maldini believes that the 23-man squad will be able to solely focus on footballing matters and leave the troubles behind them for the next month.
"I think the squad can stay out of it. The matches will be an important moment to refocus attention on the sport," added the 37-year-old.
"As for the scandal, we cannot pretend that nothing has happened. We must not be afraid to discover everything there is to discover.
"To get everything cleared up is necessary, because kids must be certain that football is a serious thing."
Maldini also backed Fabio Cannavaro to keep the captaincy despite calls from some quarters for him to step down after he was questioned by magistrates last week.
"A captain has to take on a lot of things, but Fabio has big shoulders,” he said. “He is already at his third World Cup. What can I teach him?"
Maldini handed Cannavaro the armband as the Rossoneri hero retired from the international game after appearing in his fourth World Cup in 2002.
