Marcello Lippi

Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Thursday offered Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano no encouragement over a possible call-up, explaining that his omission is a matter of personal choice. Despite a sustained campaign in the press and public pressure to pick the bad-boy of Italian football, Lippi has remained steadfast in his refusal to call up the former Real Madrid and AS Roma forward. Italy have no other attacking player in their squad who can do what Cassano does, but Lippi won't be budged. "Many people say I'm stubborn and arrogant but my true default is coherence. Fans and journalists are like political parties," he told ... Read Full Story

Alberto Gilardino scored a late hat-trick to rescue world champions Italy as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Cyprus 3-2 here on Wednesday. For 78 minutes the visitors looked likely to pull off an upset against a virtual Italy reserve side until the Fiorentina hit-man's clinical finishes rescued the hosts. Italy had already won Group Eight and ensured qualification for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa. With nothing riding on this match, Italy coach Marcello Lippi took the opportunity to switch his team around and he changed the entire starting 11 from the team that drew 2-2 against Ireland in ... Read Full Story

By Alex It remains baffling for Azzuri fans how Marcello Lippi – The One – consistently refuses an Antonio Cassano call up opting instead for Cassano’s striking partner Giampaolo Pazzini who has seven goals thus far this season. The Sampdoria striker is having a great campaign this year and is a large reason why they sit in 5th place in the standings tied with Fiorentina for the last Champions League spot – even though he’s third on team scoring behind Pazzini and Daniele Mannini with one goal. Up until now, the more reasonable fans would conclude it’s only a matter of time before Lippi ... Read Full Story

Italy coach Marcello Lippi said the work begins now for the team's defence of their title after finishing their World Cup qualification campaign with an unimpressive 3-2 win over Cyprus. Italy finished Group Eight undefeated after Alberto Gilardino scored a hat-trick in the last 12 minutes to turn around a 2-0 deficit into an unlikely victory. It means the world champions will set off on the long preparation journey ahead of June's trip to South Africa in buoyant mood. But after changing all 11 players from those who clinched qualification -- thanks to a last minute equaliser from substitute Gilardino -- with a 2-2 ... Read Full Story

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has wasted no time in launching preparations for next year's World Cup, insisting that anyone can force their way into his plans. Italy host Cyprus in Parma on Wednesday in a now meaningless group eight qualification tie after the world champions secured their passage to South Africa with a last gasp 2-2 draw in Dublin on Saturday. They head the group by four points from Ireland with just one match to play. And Lippi is already starting to talk about what he might do in June, with AS Roma striker Francesco Totti one name he is constantly asked about. Totti ... Read Full Story