FIFA 2010 World Cup: Italy’s humiliation, Marcello Lippi to blame? Buffon does not think so
Buffon backs Lippi to emerge head high after stooping low at the World Cup...
The word “shocker” was probably invented for instances like when Italy got kicked out of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa after being beaten by Slovakia.
The Azzurri were the defending champions but being kicked out in the Group Stages from a novice seemed certainly did not seem to imply that they really were.
They won the 2006 World Cup held in Germany under controversial conditions with the penalty issues and Zidane’s notorious head butt. This World Cup certainly did not show the team present at the last times encounter. Ironically the Italian coach Marcello Lippi had tried to make sure of that factor and had been criticized a lot for that factor.
He has coached Italy in two spells; first from 2004-2006 and next from 2008-2010. The 62 year old Italian had included as many players he could from the old squad that won the World Title.
Fans and experts often commented on this as playing a too aged squad for the World Cup. What was more he had not actually added the country’s most talented young players in 23 men squad.
The Italians started their World Cup campaign against Paraguay that later went onto the quarter finals with a 1-1 draw. They managed another 1-1 draw against a mediocre team such as New Zealand and then came the stunner when they were defeated in a 3-2 goal thriller by Slovakia.
This defeat proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the squad. They went back home where instead of fans garbage and stale fruit was placed to welcome them on the tarmac. Immediately the Italian footballing authority started the investigation for the poor performance but it is said that the main reason was the coach Lippi and his decisions.
The simple fact that a nation defending the world title is at the bottom of its group and has been kicked out of the tournament should embarrass the whole squad but the team started bickering among themselves which led to more humiliation for them.
Their progress was however marred with the injuries of crucial strikers and as the Italian team had already scarce presence of forwards, they were hit hard by the misfortune. The injury of the world’s most expensive goal keeper did not help them either. Gianluigi Buffon injured his sciatic nerve and was diagnosed with an operation and a recovery period of around four months therefore ruling him out of the World Cup despite his valiant effort in trying to play for his team.
It is widely known that the goal keeper and the former coach share a special bond of friendship and just recently in spite of the ongoing investigation Buffon has stated that Lippi is “a winner”. However those comments have already faced pile high sarcastic and rhetorical comments.
Lippi, in Italy, might be one of the most wanted men as the “crazies in Italy” are ready to pounce on him at first sight. From his trip South Africa to Italy he probably has not seen the brightness of sunlight properly.
The 32 year old Buffon has however told that Lippi should be given a break as after all he has already proved himself a “legend”. The Juventus shot stopper has relayed that the Italian fans should adopt the ideology of “forgive and forget” for Lippi.
While talking to media the star stated, “I think that winners like Lippi are never alone”.
As a matter of fact Lippi did take most of the blame when he was questioned why his team had performed so poorly. Buffon expressed on the issue, “Firstly the group was formed of many youngsters and it's not like they were used to these competitions, and so it was normal for psychological problems to appear”.
He further added, “All the press slammed Italy during the Confederations Cup last year, also saying the 2006 winners should have stayed home. But you also need experience”.
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