When Italy crashed out of the European Championships to Spain on penalties few would have expected Roberto Donadoni to maintain his place as their manager. The Italians had opened with a heavy defeat at the hands of Holland, struggled against Romania and only stayed in the competition through a combination of Gianluigi Buffon and good luck before sending France out. At no stage did they look comfortable, and at no stage did they look like the side that they should be.
Most would have expected Fabio Capello to be the natural successor to Donadoni, but the ex-Real Madrid manager is already occupied with another underachieving national side and so the Italian Football Federation have returned to a hero from the past to take them on.
Marcello Lippi is one of the most successful managers in Italian history, aside from a plethora of awards at club level, most notably with Juventus with whom he won five Serie A titles, he capped all his achievements by guiding the Italian national team to World Cup glory in 2006 and then promptly resigned.
The return to manage the Italy side represents a strange decision for a manager who had already chosen to quit at the top. Admittedly Italy have to improve from where they are, and they will, they are a better side than they have performed, however, in defence of their World Cup unless some seriously talented youngsters come through the Italians are going to really struggle.
Up front they look lightweight and inconsistent, Luca Toni just does not seem to be a forward of international calibre, at the back they are less strong than they used to be. The dream set up of Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta and Grosso is aging and injured, and the midfield of Pirlo and Gattuso is likewise not getting any younger. The Italy side that won the World Cup were incredibly tough defensively, and whilst not exactly penetrative up front, had enough skill to put in a chance when it offered itself to them. The current playing staff do not look like they’re capable of that.
Ciro Ferrara and Angelo Peruzzi have been suggested as likely additions to the managerial squad, which will strengthen the defence, and the return of Cannavaro to fitness will help Lippi in the short term, but in the long term a new central defensive partnership needs to be found, and preferably one that does not rely on Materazzi. Chiellini has played very well at this tournament, and Buffon has been – as ever – excellent, but that’s not enough to build a defence on.
So the decision for me seems strange, Lippi has nothing to lose, but nothing really to win either, it’s difficult to see the Italians winning back to back World Cup titles, but maybe the challenge is simply too much for the ex-Juventus and Inter Milan boss to turn down. According to Blue Square, the Italian’s are as good a bet as anyone for the World Cup, joint third favourites at 9/1*, but it’s far too far out to say. Still, if you’re into football betting those might be the best odds that you get, particularly if Lippi manages to find the Italian’s some form.
*All sports betting odds taken from Blue Sqaure. Odds subject to change.
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