Marcello Lippi claims he can’t wait to work with Antonio Cassano as the starlet looks set for a starring role against Scotland.
“This is the first time since taking charge of the Azzurri that I have been able to work with Cassano,” explained the Italy boss. “I really want to know this lad better and discover what he can do on the pitch. He is one of those four or five elements who can give creativity and flair to an already solid squad.”
The Roma youngster was not called up by Lippi in previous occasions due to injury, form and disciplinary problems, while he missed the 2-0 friendly win against Russia in February with a fitness problem.
“I like the spirit of young players and their willingness to take chances,” continued Lippi. “But they must understand that you need respect for the people you work with and that there are rules the whole squad has to follow.”
Cassano was famously frozen out of the Under-21 side following furious rows with Coach Claudio Gentile, while he had bust-ups with Roma tacticians Rudi Voller and Gigi Del Neri this season. However, he seems set to take on a key role in the Italy side that will face Scotland in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at the San Siro.
His Roma teammate Vincenzo Montella is a major doubt for that tie, as he suffered an ankle injury during training. “We are moderately pessimistic on his chances of recovery,” stated chief of medical staff Enrico Castellacci. “We’ll evaluate his condition more closely tomorrow.”
Francesco Totti will also start despite his disappointing form of late, and the red card for a petulant kick at Milan’s Massimo Ambrosini on Sunday highlighted his lack of discipline.
“We have to change our attitude,” insisted Lippi. “There is too much tension in Italian football and a lot of this aggression has to be wiped out, because it simply won’t be tolerated overseas and could damage the Azzurri’s progress. I understand his club is having problems at the moment, but the general attitude has to change.”
Totti knows more about this than most, having been banned for most of Euro 2004 after he was caught spitting at Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen.
[B]Sunday, March 20[/B]
team meets at the President Hotel in Salice Terme (PV)
[B]Monday, March 21st Tuesday March 22nd[/B]
h. 10.30 practice at the Salice Terme field
press conference follows
h. 16,00 practice at the Salice Terme field
[B]Wednesday, March 23rd[/B]
h. 10.30 practice at the Salice Terme field
press conference follows
h. 16,00 test match ITALY-U.S. PERGOCREMA
Stadium "Giuseppe Volpini" in Crema
[B]Thursday, March 24th[/B]
h. 10.30 practice at the Salice Terme field
press conference follows
h. 16,00 practice at the Salice Terme field
[B]Friday, March 25th[/B]
h. 21.00 match ITALY-SCOTLAND Under 21
at the "Fortunati" stadium in Pavia
press conference follows.
The match will be refereed by M. Salomir and I. Popa and C. Nica; Ivth man R. Dumitru of the Romanian Federation.
发表于 2005-3-21 15:50:00
发表于 2005-3-21 17:18:00
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发表于 2005-3-25 23:37:00