The Italy squad returns to the Peninsula this morning amid politicians calling for Marcello Lippi to hand back his wages.
Following their worst ever World Cup campaign, the Azzurri left South Africa on an Alitalia flight from Johannesburg’s Tambo airport at 21.00 UK time last night.
They are set to arrive in Rome this morning at 7.00, then several others will continue their journeys with a flight to Milan landing at 09.45.
In 1966 the team was famously welcomed back with a hail of rotten tomatoes following their shock defeat to North Korea, but it remains to be seen how the players will be greeted this time.
Italy had never previously gone out without winning a single game and suffered their first group phase exit since 1974.
Coach Lippi said in his Press conference that he took all responsibility for the failure.
“In that case he ought to give back his wages,” slammed Minister for Reforms Roberto Calderoli.
“FIGC President Giancarlo Abete should also resign, as he was the one responsible for choosing Lippi in the first place.”
Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro hit back to the media after he was cleared of charges of doping case yesterday. Italy captain's 36-year-old, wearing a medicine containing a banned substance, cortisone after a wasp sting on August 28 and failed a dope test two days later.
"You get a bee sting and then find themselves in the paper as if you were using doping," Cannavaro said angrily.
"Some newspapers and television channels have gone too far."
"This is the second time in my life that I've found myself slandered in the newspapers for stories like this."
"I hope this story will not happen again. My career has always been distinguished by respecting the rules."
"I regret that these problems can cause trouble like that."
"My personal history and my career to show my respect for the sport and the ethical principles that support it."
Marcello Lippi believes that Italy are practically qualified for the World Cup after going four points clear of Ireland.
“With a draw in Dublin we are mathematically qualified. If we should lose, then we have a home game with Cyprus three days later to finish the job,” said the Coach.
There are only two games left in Group 8 and the Azzurri lead with 20 points to Ireland's 16 thanks to tonight's 2-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Lippi adopted a new diamond midfield formation with seven Juventus players in the starting XI.
“The first half was entertaining and I am happy for the lads, as people try to make them out to be hopeless. They have quality both in terms of commitment and technique.
“We scored two fine goals and could have had four or five. We know that at this time of the season we are never on top form, so we controlled the game after the break and that was wise.”
Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta were both members of the squad that lifted the 2006 World Cup and have effectively allowed Italy to defend that title in South Africa with tonight's goals.
Elsewhere in the group, Cyprus held Montenegro to a 1-1 draw.[football-italia.net]
An important 4-1 victory over Montenegro in Sofia last weekend, has provided a valuable confidence on Bulgaria for moving to World Cup 2010.
Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United's striker, insists his team will be ready to surprise when Bulgarians come to the Italian.
"The game will be very difficult for us, but the results of yesterday's success against Montenegro has given more confidence to the capacity of us all," said Berbatov told Il Corriere dello Sport.
Meanwhile Azzurri themselves now in the top of the group standings by collecting 17 points. Meanwhile, Bulgaria is ranked third in the Irish with six points adrift of the number who have obtained the value of Italy.
Two own goals from captain Kakha Kaladze gifted Italy a 2-0 victory over a toothless Georgia in their World Cup qualifier in Tbilisi.
The AC Milan defender headed the ball into his own net in the 57th minute from Angelo Palombo's stinging drive from distance.
Kaladze then fired past his own goalkeeper 10 minutes later after Domenico Criscito had swept in a low cross from the left, much to the horror of the home fans.
The result leaves the world champions top of Group Eight with 17 points from seven games.
“If we play well and are lucky enough to win the next two matches, we will have taken a big step towards the World Cup”: Marcello Lippi realizes that a lot is at stake in the next two matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. With another six points, the national team that at present is only one point ahead of Ireland coached by Giovanni Trapattoni, would come very close to the 2010 World Cup.
First day of training in Coverciano for the Azzurri and there were a lot of issues to handle. “There are eight Juventus players on the team – said the head coach as he answered a specific question – because the Juventus team this year has decided to count on Italian players. There are other clubs that have rightly decided to count on foreign players. It is logical that, if I go to watch a match, I will not go to see one with many foreign players, I am interested in Italian players. The positive start of the season for Juventus gives me hope for a good outcome of these two matches and the national team”. Another issue in Coverciano is the “absence” of Antonio Cassano.
The Sampdoria forward, protagonist o fan excellent season start, is not part of the plans of the head coach. “I have nothing against Cassano. He is a professional and a nice boy – said Lippi. I respect the public opinion, but I would like the public to respect mine. But this situation does not bother me at all. It is something that happened to other head coaches before me and will happen to those who come after me”.
As far as the Italy-Bulgaria match of Wednesday, September 9th, in Turin is concerned, FIFA has announced the referees: referee Florian Meyer (Germany), assistants Volker Wezel (Germany) and Thorsten Schiffner (Germany), fourth man Michael Weiner (Germany).
List of players called
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Ol.Lyonnais), Legrottaglia (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).
Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D’Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Marchionni (Fiorentina), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Giardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), G.Rossi (Villarreal)
[figc.it]
