Of course, we can't deny the efforts of the Italian team. Although the opponent's strength is not strong, the performance of 7 wins, 3 draws and unbeaten record is commendable, especially the resilience and determination of this Italian team in the face of different situations. In the away game against Ireland, Italy fell behind twice and equalized twice, especially after losing the ball in the 87th minute. Italy's indomitable spirit was fully demonstrated again in the last round of the game to reverse Cyprus. This toughness has always been Italy's advantage, especially in the Lippi era.
But this is not enough for Lippi and his second Italian team to conquer the fans. As the famous commentator Concetti said, it is an obligation and a matter of course for Italy to qualify from the qualifiers. Compared with the joy of promotion, this Italy brings people more doubts and worries. Although Italy has never been good at controlling scenes, the chaos in Cyprus is still too eye-catching. This Italian team is not as reliable as the World Cup in Germany, but it always loses its foothold inadvertently. Outside the World Cup qualifiers, Italy's powerlessness in the face of strong enemies (such as Brazil) is far from being a world champion. In addition, compared with the stability of the midfield and backcourt lineup, Italy's striker line is full of question marks. Tony, Rossi, Quagliarella, Pepe ... Lippi's used strikers are disappointing, and even Gilardino, who is a god in the last two rounds, is by no means reliable. You know, the Fiorentina striker lost in the previous four qualifiers and two Confederations Cup matches.
And the most important thing is, where is the quality limit of this national team? Lippi has always stressed that this is a new national team and needs time to run in and adjust. Silver Fox did try new lineups, personnel and styles of play in many competitions, but what we actually saw was what the Azzurri 65438+ looked like 0 years ago or even 3 years ago. This Italian team is also a group of veterans who won the world championship in Germany. Don't forget, now that they are "three years older", the decline in strength is an unavoidable fact, and there are still some key talents who can change the game on their own. Piero and Totti, although their fading out is the inevitable result of the alternation of the old and the new, at the same time, they also took away the only technical elements of the Italian team and made Italy a completely mechanical team. In the face of less than their own opponents, such a mechanical team can guarantee the results, but in the face of stronger opponents, it is difficult for Italy, which lacks creativity, to create miracles.
A reliable newcomer, a striker with a stable goal rate and a superstar who can decide the outcome at a critical moment are all urgently needed by Lippi in the second phase. Italy is not without materials, but from Cassano to Balotelli, these talents who can bring changes to the team have been "resolutely" rejected by Lippi. As a champion coach, Lippi has stubborn capital, but it worries Italian fans. There are no surprises in the qualifiers, but Italy must be stronger to cope with the more severe World Cup finals. There is still room and time for the Azzurri to improve, which depends on Lippi.