http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul4o.html
Lippi hails Azzurri pride
Tuesday 4 July, 2006
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Marcello Lippi has praised his players for their sheer will-power
in reaching the World Cup Final by knocking out the hosts.
“It really would've been a pity if we hadn't won this match on the field.
Perhaps we would've triumphed on penalties anyway,
as we certainly played better than Germany in their
own back yard in front of thousands of German fans.
The lads were absolutely extraordinary,” said the Azzurri boss.
Italy emerged 2-0 winners with two late goals in the final moments
of extra time, sealing Germany's first ever defeat at the
Dortmund Westfalenstadion. The deadlock could've been broken earlier,
but Alberto Gilardino and Gianluca Zambrotta hit the woodwork
in close succession.
“I admit some of my language was a little fruity at that moment,”
smiled Lippi. “These boys kept on going, though,
even if we ran one risk in extra time with that Gianluigi Buffon save.
It's immensely satisfying and now we hope to complete the job on Sunday.”
Alessandro Del Piero came off the bench to put the icing on the cake
after Fabio Grosso's opener and the former Juventus Coach reveals
it was a decision dictated by emotion more than technical considerations.
“On the bench I said Del Piero would score.
He watched his teammates during the warm-up and in the game
as if he was already out there. You could see how much
he wanted to play and I believe that can make the difference.”
They'll face either France or Portugal in Berlin for the Final,
but he refused to name a favourite option.
“I would be an idiot to say I had a preference,
as then the others would say ‘We'll show you!’”
However, the question marks remain over whether Lippi will stay
on the Nazionale bench after this tournament.
“I said we'll discuss my future at the end of the World Cup
and that's what we'll do. Seeing as we will go all the way
in this tournament, that debate will have to wait.”
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http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul5j.html
Lippi: Let's finish the job
Wednesday 5 July, 2006
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Now that Italy have reached the World Cup Final, boss Marcello Lippi
has urged his troops to go on and with the competition.
The Azzurri booked their place in Berlin last night with a 2-0 win
over Germany and a proud Lippi ranks it as perhaps the greatest
of his coaching legacy to date.
“I'm happy, delighted,” he stated.
“This was probably the most important game in my career,
excluding Sunday's match of course.
“I'm tired,” he continued during Wednesday's media conference.
“I slept for just two hours as I wanted to immediately
see the game again, including extra-time.
“I liked it, liked it a lot.
It confirmed to me my first impressions straight after the match.
“We beat a side with quality and the game had everything expected of
a tie at this level and it was obvious that there would be suffering.
“Nobody can possibly nullify your opponents' power,
but I still think that we did more than them in the game
on a number of aspects.
“From corners, ball possession, shots that hit the post
and fortunately the goals. We're satisfied, very satisfied.
However, we must now finish the job.”
One of Lippi's key ploys during Germany 2006 was to gamble
on Francesco Totti despite his lack of games since
snapping his ankle in February.
Yet the former Juventus Coach insists that there was no way
he was going to leave the Romanista back home.
“I don't think it was a courageous decision,
it was a coherent selection,” he said.
“I followed him after his injury and saw his desire to recover.
It was right to go forward with him.”
Lippi was also asked to comment on Totti's temptation to quit
the international game following Sunday's Final.
“As far as I know, he's 90 per cent sure that he will leave,”he said.
“Whatever happens, we must respect whatever thoughts go through
his mind and heart.”
Juventus stopper Fabio Cannavaro has been key in the set-up too
and while Lippi has acknowledged that fact,
he hasn't forgotten about his teammates.
“Fabio's having a great World Cup. He is the best defender on the planet.
However, I want to praise those players in the squad
who haven't played many minutes.”
Despite reaching the Final, Lippi is still failing to commit himself
to a new deal with the Italian Football Federation.
“Everyone keeps asking me if I'm staying and I keep replying as
I always have – we'll discuss my future after the World Cup is over,”
he concluded.
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http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul6a.html
Lippi sees Zidane threat
Thursday 6 July, 2006
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Marcello Lippi believes the World Cup Final between his Italy
and France will be a balanced affair, even if he concedes
Zinedine Zidane could make the difference.
The tactician knows all about Zizou after bossing him
with some success at Juventus in the past and the veteran No 10
has been a key force in Les Bleus' march to the Final.
“It will be a difficult game, yet certainly a balanced one seeing
as both sides equal each other on the pitch,” said the Azzurri Coach
after last night's semi-final win for the French.
“We saw the game and it confirmed to us how much France
have grown in the tournament since their first two games.
“As they have gone on, they have found their best condition
and have rediscovered their best Zidane.
“Nevertheless, we're going for victory.”
France impressed few onlookers when they were held to a 0-0 draw
against the Swiss and were then frustrated by South Korea.
Yet wins over Togo, Spain, Brazil and Portugal have propelled them
to their second World Cup Final in the space of eight years.
Sunday's tie will be a rematch of the Euro 2000 Final
when France won 2-1 with a David Trezeguet Golden Goal.
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