Lippi unclear on future
Eurosport - Reda Maher and Ian Holyman - 10/07/2006 03:02
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video: Lippi delighted with win
Italy World Champions for fourth timeItaly coach Marcello Lippi refused to speculate on his next move after winning the World Cup on Sunday. "Ask me another question, let's enjoy this great moment," he said in the post-match press conference. Italy won the trophy after a penalty shoot-out in a game that saw Zinedine Zidane sent-off.
Lippi's contract is due to expire after the tournament, but Italy's win - which has come in the face of the biggest corruption scandal in Italian football and the alleged suicide attempt of former player Gianluca Pessotto - will surely prompt the national federation to make a new improved offer.
Lippi certainly appreaciates the magnitude of his achievement:
"How many coaches have won a world title at club level (The Intercontinental Cup) and also with a national team?", he said.
"I don't know. I've won the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles but I've never felt anything like this, it is a completely different feeling."
NOT BY CHANCE
Despite the oft-repeated mantra that penalty shoot-outs are a lottery, Lippi is convinced that his team's self-belief had a part tp play in their 100% record on Sunday.
"It takes a lot of determination and a lot of conviction in penalty shootouts - it's not by chance. Our boys really wanted it and that's why they were able to put away all five," he declared.
Italy were the better side in the first half, but France came back into it and still looked the more dangerous even after Zinedine Zidane's sending-off in extra time.
"In the second half we faded physically but there was always a chance that it could be won from a set-piece, or from one moment, there were great players out there capable of doing that," Lippi admitted.
"DON'T BLAME MATERAZZI"
France players and coach Raymond Domenech had claimed after the match that Materazzi had provoked Zidane and overplayed the incident, but Lippi was adamant that his player was blameless.
"It was not Materazzi that got the attention of the referee," he said. "It was the fourth and fifth officials after looking at the video."
The crowd - who were mostly unaware of the off-the-ball incident that saw Zidane aim a flying headbutt into Materazzi's chest - jeered and whistled every Italy touch of the ball after the red card was shown.
Lippi thinks they will change their minds in the morning.
"We didn't do anything. The French public [who booed and whistled Italy after the red card] will think a little differently after seeing TV and reading their newspapers."
Domenech doesn't blame Zidane
SORRY FOR ZIZOU
Of the shameful exit of a legendary player from the professional game, Lippi was unreserved in his praise of the former Juventus and Real Madrid man.
"I'm sorry for Zidane, because I hold him in great esteem, and he knows that"", Lippi said. "
"He's a great player and I don't want to see him go. I told him before the start of the game to think it over. It's a shame to end his career in this way."
