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Thunderball · 06-20-2010, 11:06 AM

Watching Italy today is a perfect example for why so many posters oppose trading for former flames. Its also a reason you don't go back to an ex-girlfriend. The truth is Lippi is finished, maybe he's ready to join Cannavaro in Dubai. The magic is gone, and it will never be 2006 again. When you cling to the worst generation of Italian strikers in history with precisely zero magic between them, this is what you will get. No goals from regular play.

That being said, Italy isn't actually as bad as it looks. The good news is that some of the "younger" players that will still be prime for Euro 2012 and WC 2014 are looking good. Criscito, Chiellini, De Rossi, Montolivo, Marchisio and surprisingly, Pepe, are definitely not part of the problem.

More good news is that Lippi screwed up real bad on squad selection, and there are quality players that somehow missed the cut and are on the right side of 30. Rossi, Cassano, Balotelli, Candreva and Giovinco are some examples of attacking players capable of some magic and creativity.

The best part is, Lippi's replacement is already signed and watching with great interest/concern. Cesare Prandelli is known for being good with young talent, so the future is looking up.

Am I counting Italy out? Not really, none of the major teams look like world champions right now. Slovakia is beatable, and once you're in the single game knockouts, anything can happen.

As for this game, neither goal probably should have happened as NZ's goal looked like it hit the NZ forward on its way to Cannavaro for a screw up, which would make the running striker offside. As for De Rossi's foul, one thing I was taught when I briefly played defense was, never do anything stupid in the box. Visibly tugging on jerseys and giving someone enough abuse to fall is always a bad idea. It was soft, but once you add the fact that the first goal shouldnt have counted with the fact that there was too much visible fouling in the box, it had to happen.

06-20-2010, 11:06 AM	#1961
Thunderball Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	Watching Italy today is a perfect example for why so many posters oppose trading for former flames. Its also a reason you don't go back to an ex-girlfriend. The truth is Lippi is finished, maybe he's ready to join Cannavaro in Dubai. The magic is gone, and it will never be 2006 again. When you cling to the worst generation of Italian strikers in history with precisely zero magic between them, this is what you will get. No goals from regular play. That being said, Italy isn't actually as bad as it looks. The good news is that some of the "younger" players that will still be prime for Euro 2012 and WC 2014 are looking good. Criscito, Chiellini, De Rossi, Montolivo, Marchisio and surprisingly, Pepe, are definitely not part of the problem. More good news is that Lippi screwed up real bad on squad selection, and there are quality players that somehow missed the cut and are on the right side of 30. Rossi, Cassano, Balotelli, Candreva and Giovinco are some examples of attacking players capable of some magic and creativity. The best part is, Lippi's replacement is already signed and watching with great interest/concern. Cesare Prandelli is known for being good with young talent, so the future is looking up. Am I counting Italy out? Not really, none of the major teams look like world champions right now. Slovakia is beatable, and once you're in the single game knockouts, anything can happen. As for this game, neither goal probably should have happened as NZ's goal looked like it hit the NZ forward on its way to Cannavaro for a screw up, which would make the running striker offside. As for De Rossi's foul, one thing I was taught when I briefly played defense was, never do anything stupid in the box. Visibly tugging on jerseys and giving someone enough abuse to fall is always a bad idea. It was soft, but once you add the fact that the first goal shouldnt have counted with the fact that there was too much visible fouling in the box, it had to happen. Last edited by Thunderball; 06-20-2010 at 11:09 AM.