Young players challenging Lippi
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The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 18, 2009 00:00
IRENE, South Africa - Italy features the oldest squad of the Confederation’s Cup, with an average age of 29.7 years. Coach Marcelo Lippi faces pressure from the increasing performance of young players like Giuseppe Rossi, but is unlikely to make major changes in the squad against Egypt.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi is coming under pressure to inject some youth into his lineup against Egypt in the Confederations Cup today.
Lippi started nine veterans from Italy's 2006 World Cup victory in a 3-1 win over the United States on Monday, but the team did not score until substitutes Giuseppe Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo came on after nearly an hour - despite a one man advantage because of a U.S. red card.
Italy features the tournament's oldest squad, with an average age of 29.7 years.
"You don't think I'm aware of what they're worth?" Lippi snapped back when asked after the U.S. game if he had learned to put more trust in his younger players. "You don't think I know who Giuseppe Rossi is? I called him up a year ago from the U21 team. He's the only player that has creativeness and fantasy in attack, and I put him on at the right time. But that doesn't mean that now he's going to play all the time."
Two goals
Lippi's starting attack of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Camoranesi looked stagnant until Rossi replaced Camoranesi on the right wing and the U.S.-born striker scored twice. Gilardino acknowledged afterward that Italy played better once Rossi came on.
"It's nice to hear that. I'm going to continue trying to insert myself into the group over these next two weeks," Rossi said, refusing to create any controversy, despite his two goals. "That doesn't matter at all. That's the coach's decision." After missing most of the season with a knee injury, Gennaro Gattuso still only appears capable of playing an hour. Against the Americans, the 24-year-old Montolivo was Gattuso's second-half replacement.
Montolivo plays in central midfield like Gattuso, although he is more attack-minded than the gritty AC Milan stalwart. "I think Lippi does well by sticking with the champions," Montolivo said. "I'm just happy to be part of this group."
Italy is level for the Group B lead with Brazil with three points each.
Brazil struggled to beat Egypt 4-3 on Monday and Italy was prevented from training at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on Wednesday to protect the pitch, which is in poor condition because rugby has been played on it.
"Decision has been taken here at Ellis Park not to have the teams train today at Ellis Park, teams which will play tomorrow," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said. "And this is of course to protect the pitch and to offer the best pitch in terms of quality for tomorrow's games."
"It's going to be another really tough match, considering how they played against Brazil," Lippi said of the African champions. "I know their team well, and I really like the way their coach handles his team."
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata is under pressure after poor results in World Cup qualifying.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is expected to return in central defense after missing the opener due to a right calf injury. The player who raised the World Cup trophy in Berlin three years ago needs only three more caps to break Paolo Maldini's Italian record of 126 appearances.
"I usually don't care about records, but I have to admit I'm starting to think about this one," Cannavaro said. Otherwise, Lippi's lineup could remain the same, unless the silver-haired coach decides to add the likes of Rossi or Montolivo.
Lippi started nine veterans from Italy's 2006 World Cup victory in a 3-1 win over the United States on Monday, but the team did not score until substitutes Giuseppe Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo came on after nearly an hour - despite a one man advantage because of a U.S. red card.
Italy features the tournament's oldest squad, with an average age of 29.7 years.
"You don't think I'm aware of what they're worth?" Lippi snapped back when asked after the U.S. game if he had learned to put more trust in his younger players. "You don't think I know who Giuseppe Rossi is? I called him up a year ago from the U21 team. He's the only player that has creativeness and fantasy in attack, and I put him on at the right time. But that doesn't mean that now he's going to play all the time."
Two goals
Lippi's starting attack of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Camoranesi looked stagnant until Rossi replaced Camoranesi on the right wing and the U.S.-born striker scored twice. Gilardino acknowledged afterward that Italy played better once Rossi came on.
"It's nice to hear that. I'm going to continue trying to insert myself into the group over these next two weeks," Rossi said, refusing to create any controversy, despite his two goals. "That doesn't matter at all. That's the coach's decision." After missing most of the season with a knee injury, Gennaro Gattuso still only appears capable of playing an hour. Against the Americans, the 24-year-old Montolivo was Gattuso's second-half replacement.
Montolivo plays in central midfield like Gattuso, although he is more attack-minded than the gritty AC Milan stalwart. "I think Lippi does well by sticking with the champions," Montolivo said. "I'm just happy to be part of this group."
Italy is level for the Group B lead with Brazil with three points each.
Brazil struggled to beat Egypt 4-3 on Monday and Italy was prevented from training at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on Wednesday to protect the pitch, which is in poor condition because rugby has been played on it.
"Decision has been taken here at Ellis Park not to have the teams train today at Ellis Park, teams which will play tomorrow," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said. "And this is of course to protect the pitch and to offer the best pitch in terms of quality for tomorrow's games."
"It's going to be another really tough match, considering how they played against Brazil," Lippi said of the African champions. "I know their team well, and I really like the way their coach handles his team."
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata is under pressure after poor results in World Cup qualifying.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is expected to return in central defense after missing the opener due to a right calf injury. The player who raised the World Cup trophy in Berlin three years ago needs only three more caps to break Paolo Maldini's Italian record of 126 appearances.
"I usually don't care about records, but I have to admit I'm starting to think about this one," Cannavaro said. Otherwise, Lippi's lineup could remain the same, unless the silver-haired coach decides to add the likes of Rossi or Montolivo.