Marcello Lippi refuses to name a favourite for the Serie A title and comments on the crisis of Italian football: ‘There are no longer players like Francesco Totti or Alessandro Del Piero…’
Inter were the only team in the top three to win last weekend, so the Nerazzurri can climb to the top of the table if they win their game in hand against Bologna later this month. Lippi sees no favourites and believes that details will make the difference in the last six games.
“I don’t talk about favourites, I only say that the team that played better football in the last two-three games was Inter,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“They are angry and determined. They put in an excellent performance against Verona on Saturday.
“The victory against Juventus motivated them and slowed the Bianconeri down. Perhaps, had Juventus won, they would have been in the race until the end. Now there are three teams involved, I don’t think Juventus will recover.”
Does he consider Napoli‘s loss to Fiorentina as a failure?
“No, that’s a word you journalists like. They had a bad game and lost against a great Fiorentina. Six games are remaining, what if Napoli win them all?”
How about Milan? The Rossoneri failed to score in the last two games collecting back to back 0-0 draws.
“Pioli deserves compliments for the way Milan have played during the season,” said Lippi.
“They are still the table leaders, a moment like this is normal. I expect a balanced end to the season, there is no more room for mistakes for those who want to win the title. Details will make the difference.”
Who are the Serie A strikers he likes the most?
“I like Victor Osimhen, same as Tammy Abraham, who has done so well at Roma. Dusan Vlahovic has improved Juventus and given more potential in the attack.”
Lippi won the fourth World Cup in Italy’s history in 2006, but that was the last time the Azzurri qualified for the knock-out phase. They were eliminated in the group stage in 2010 and 2014 and failed to qualify for the most recent tournaments: Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
“I wouldn’t talk about a crisis in Italian football. It’s just a moment,” the ex-coach said.
“The level in the Champions League is high, but it’s a different story for the national team. If you can’t beat North Macedonia, the glass is surely half empty.
“We are European champions and this group has remained unbeaten for a long time. We also have to remember that 65% of Serie A footballers were Italian when I was the coach. Now only 30-35%. There are no longer players like Totti, Del Piero or Vincenzo Montella.
“Roberto Mancini has done a great job, except for the game with Macedonia. If there is somebody who knows Italian football, it’s him. I think it is correct that he remained in charge. Now we must move on.”
After Italy lost to North Macedonia, Lippi was linked with the Azzurri job. According to multiple reports, he could have been hired as a technical director, with Fabio Cannavaro in charge of the team. However, Lippi insists that his coaching career is over and is not willing to get any role in football.
“I didn’t receive any call, and even if I would, I would have said no.”
Everyone says the same thing, not enough Italian……. But its anyone doing anything about it???
Lippi hath spoken. After winning the World Cup, anything He says is gospel.
Any bit of help Lippi can offer Mancini would be greatly appreciated.