The success of Inter Milan so far in the Champions League this season has given a feel good factor to Italian football but lets not get carried away because as we know not one of the starting 11 against Barcelona last night was Italian. In fact the only Italian involved in the game was the petulant Mr. Balotelli who I think it is safe to say will not be on the plane to South Africa.
Inters' success in Europe is currently taking the nations eye off the fact that the World Cup is just around the corner but readers of the Gazzetta website will every so often get a little reminder such as the recent online vote as to whether Pazzini or Boriello should be the vice-Gilardino player to make it into the squad. Pazzini is winning the vote by 52% to Boriello's 48% if anyone is interested.
More interestingly, Gazzetta held a live videochat today with Mister Lippi where he was quizzed on everything from Inters' Champions League chances to Totti's 'thumbs down' gesture after the defeat of Lazio at the weekend, but more importantly on his squad for the 2010 campaign.Typically, holding his hand close to his chest Lippi refused to talk about individuals when asked about Del Piero and Totti but did stress that he would be relying on 'real men' who would show their true quality when the time counted. Is this a hint that Totti will be on that plane to South Africa? If Roma go on to win Lo Scudetto and Totti is fit and well he will find it hard to refuse the nations call.
Lippi also defended some of his champions from 2006 who aren't having the best of seasons (namely Zambrotta, Gattuso, Camoranesi and Cannavaro). This clearly demonstrates his loyalty to these players and proves that he will be counting on these players to repeat the feats of Germany 4 years ago.
So as we face into the final weeks of the season it will be interesting to see what players hit form at the right time and make it into the squad that Lippi stated will be finalized on the 18th of May.
There are 5/6 places up for grabs so all eyes will be on Messrs. Maggio, Cassani, Bonera, Bonucci, Bocchetti, Cossu, Pepe, Marchionni, D'Agostino, Borriello and Pazzini over the next couple of weeks to see who steps up to the mark and catches the eye of Mister Lippi!
A presto!
Ciociaro78
