[WC] Italia vs Australia [26-06-2006] (8 Viewers)
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Lippi slams interfering Press Sunday 25 June, 2006
The tension is getting to Marcello Lippi, who insulted journalists in tonight’s Press Conference and said he welcomes a struggle to beat Australia.
The debate over which system the Italy boss will use, whether a 4-3-1-2 or the 4-4-1-1 used against the Czech Republic, has been raging in the media for several days and it seems the pressure is getting to the Coach.
“I will not give you the line-up,” he slammed. “It’s not a personal issue, but I just don’t want to give my opponents an advantage. I think 90 per cent of Coaches take this approach and you know nothing about Australia’s plans, because Guus Hiddink has hidden his training sessions from you. And you can stop calling me at the hotel at night to ask for information. You’re shameful. If you’re going to be such scumbags, then I’ll start doing the same.”
Lippi almost seemed as if he was about to walk out of the conference, but also turned his ire towards Australia Coach Hiddink – the man who took South Korea to a shock win over the Azzurri in 2002. He said today that this match was “like David and Goliath.”
“That was a very sneaky thing for the Dutchman to say,” noted Lippi. “In modern football, there is no longer such a thing. He played the same trick in Korea and it went well, so now he’s trying again.”
Italy are considered the favourites against the Socceroos, who have never been this far in a World Cup before, but Lippi is aware of the problems they gave Australia, Croatia and Japan in the group stage.
“We have to keep winning and to do that we need luck, grit, quality and the ability to suffer. When you struggle and at the end go through, that means you did particularly well, because you have beaten a strong team.”
Several of the Italy players, including Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti, have compared Australia to the United States side that held them to a 1-1 draw, but Lippi isn’t convinced.
“The Australians are a very different creature in attack. They have one striker who holds up the ball, they go on the counter-attack, use the wide men and play with a lot of enthusiasm: just like their Coach. Hiddink is a smart man with great knowledge of football. He knows how to motivate his men tactically and psychologically. If anything, I hope we can learn from the lessons of the US game, as we have to close down the spaces.”
Francesco Totti scored a fine goal in training this evening, in which he lined up with Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino. “Will Totti play tomorrow? Come to the stadium tomorrow and you’ll see.”
Italy were originally set to play Monday’s match in their white away strip, but FIFA decided this evening that they will run out in blue. The only difference from the previous games will be white socks.
Italy (Probable): Buffon; Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso; Totti; Toni, Gilardino
The tension is getting to Marcello Lippi, who insulted journalists in tonight’s Press Conference and said he welcomes a struggle to beat Australia.
The debate over which system the Italy boss will use, whether a 4-3-1-2 or the 4-4-1-1 used against the Czech Republic, has been raging in the media for several days and it seems the pressure is getting to the Coach.
“I will not give you the line-up,” he slammed. “It’s not a personal issue, but I just don’t want to give my opponents an advantage. I think 90 per cent of Coaches take this approach and you know nothing about Australia’s plans, because Guus Hiddink has hidden his training sessions from you. And you can stop calling me at the hotel at night to ask for information. You’re shameful. If you’re going to be such scumbags, then I’ll start doing the same.”
Lippi almost seemed as if he was about to walk out of the conference, but also turned his ire towards Australia Coach Hiddink – the man who took South Korea to a shock win over the Azzurri in 2002. He said today that this match was “like David and Goliath.”
“That was a very sneaky thing for the Dutchman to say,” noted Lippi. “In modern football, there is no longer such a thing. He played the same trick in Korea and it went well, so now he’s trying again.”
Italy are considered the favourites against the Socceroos, who have never been this far in a World Cup before, but Lippi is aware of the problems they gave Australia, Croatia and Japan in the group stage.
“We have to keep winning and to do that we need luck, grit, quality and the ability to suffer. When you struggle and at the end go through, that means you did particularly well, because you have beaten a strong team.”
Several of the Italy players, including Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti, have compared Australia to the United States side that held them to a 1-1 draw, but Lippi isn’t convinced.
“The Australians are a very different creature in attack. They have one striker who holds up the ball, they go on the counter-attack, use the wide men and play with a lot of enthusiasm: just like their Coach. Hiddink is a smart man with great knowledge of football. He knows how to motivate his men tactically and psychologically. If anything, I hope we can learn from the lessons of the US game, as we have to close down the spaces.”
Francesco Totti scored a fine goal in training this evening, in which he lined up with Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino. “Will Totti play tomorrow? Come to the stadium tomorrow and you’ll see.”
Italy were originally set to play Monday’s match in their white away strip, but FIFA decided this evening that they will run out in blue. The only difference from the previous games will be white socks.
Italy (Probable): Buffon; Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso; Totti; Toni, Gilardino
fifa is starting to control to much.......when they tell us what socks to wear its going a little to far......but who cares. Lippi isnt rattled or under pressure i just think the media is doing to much to get the info. after people keep asking the same stupid question over and over it gets annoying, everrone knows that. I dont expect anything different from him. totti will start with toni and gilla. ill be surprised if toni sits and they go with the 4-4-1-1 formation.
Italy better beware of Viduka and it will be better to put Cannavro on him instead of Materazzi and for the life of me, i dont know why Oddo and Zambrotta are not the full backs. i would not put Camoranesi and Totti in my starting line up, Totti can aleays come on with 30 minutes to go when legs are tired and maybe do some damage as he is not doing so from the start and to be fair should not be expected to. Camoranesi is just too dithering for my liking and i will always pick Perotta ahead of him. If Italy do not get to the semis then serious questions need to be asked