Lippi Picks Milan And Barcelona For Europe
Former Italy coach Marcelo Lippi isn't too downbeat following his country's 3-1 loss to Hungary last night, maintaining his belief that they will come good at the right moment.
The ex-Juventus boss also gave his Champions League predictions for the new season, citing Milan and Barcelona as favourites...
zoom - galleria Marcelo Lippi insisted today that Italy still have what it takes to hit form at the right time, even in the wake of that disastrous 3-1 away friendly defeat to Hungary.
The former Azzurri coach said, "I didn't see the game, and in any case it's not up to me to speak about Italy, but I think I can say that the squad is strong and will come good."
Lippi, whose Italian squad lifted the World Cup last year, added, "It's not true that the players have no motivation. The will to win is there, and it will appear at the right time."
The ex-Inter boss quit the Azzurri post last year in a "mission accomplished" gesture and since then has taken up a position of commentator with Sky television. (Interestingly, another prominent Italian boss - Fabio Capello - does similar work for RAI.)
Lippi turned his attention away from Roberto Donadoni's men to weigh in on the Champions League, which he won with Juventus in 1996.
"For the Champions League, I think that Milan are favourites, but Barcelona has an extraordinary squad.
"Inter's won two consecutive titles and will of course try for the Champions League, but it would be foolish of them to neglect the league.
"Juventus, as always, will play to win, and that could help them," he concluded.
Finally, Marcelo looked at two of the Azzurri prodigal sons: Christian Vieri and Antonio Cassano.
Vieri, beset by team difficulties and injuries since parting ways with Inter in 2005, has the chance to end his career on a high note at Fiorentina, while Cassano's Madrid nightmare could end if he does well at Sampdoria.
The venerable coach offered some words of encouragement to the pair, saying, "I am sure that Christian will have a great season, while Antonio will have to work hard to take advantage of his new tifosi's enthusiasm.
"I believe that this can be a vintage year for him."
wud be a hell of a final
Former Italy coach Marcelo Lippi isn't too downbeat following his country's 3-1 loss to Hungary last night, maintaining his belief that they will come good at the right moment.
The ex-Juventus boss also gave his Champions League predictions for the new season, citing Milan and Barcelona as favourites...
zoom - galleria Marcelo Lippi insisted today that Italy still have what it takes to hit form at the right time, even in the wake of that disastrous 3-1 away friendly defeat to Hungary.
The former Azzurri coach said, "I didn't see the game, and in any case it's not up to me to speak about Italy, but I think I can say that the squad is strong and will come good."
Lippi, whose Italian squad lifted the World Cup last year, added, "It's not true that the players have no motivation. The will to win is there, and it will appear at the right time."
The ex-Inter boss quit the Azzurri post last year in a "mission accomplished" gesture and since then has taken up a position of commentator with Sky television. (Interestingly, another prominent Italian boss - Fabio Capello - does similar work for RAI.)
Lippi turned his attention away from Roberto Donadoni's men to weigh in on the Champions League, which he won with Juventus in 1996.
"For the Champions League, I think that Milan are favourites, but Barcelona has an extraordinary squad.
"Inter's won two consecutive titles and will of course try for the Champions League, but it would be foolish of them to neglect the league.
"Juventus, as always, will play to win, and that could help them," he concluded.
Finally, Marcelo looked at two of the Azzurri prodigal sons: Christian Vieri and Antonio Cassano.
Vieri, beset by team difficulties and injuries since parting ways with Inter in 2005, has the chance to end his career on a high note at Fiorentina, while Cassano's Madrid nightmare could end if he does well at Sampdoria.
The venerable coach offered some words of encouragement to the pair, saying, "I am sure that Christian will have a great season, while Antonio will have to work hard to take advantage of his new tifosi's enthusiasm.
"I believe that this can be a vintage year for him."
wud be a hell of a final
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