Notes from an international weekend: Cassano, Candreva and Casiraghi

Last Saturday the Azzurri drew 0-0 at home to the Netherlands despite the presence of Superman on the pitch.

For once the Superman mentioned in connection with the Italian national team is not Gigi Buffon, but a pitch invader, dressed as Superman with the words “Cassano in nazionale” [Cassano in the national team] added.

When asked to comment on the unexpected guest coach Marcello Lippi replied, “I had taken off my glasses and I didn’t see anything. You know that when I take off my glasses I can’t see a thing.”

This call for Antonio Cassano to play for the national team is an ongoing saga and Lippi, understandably, has grown weary of answering questions on the subject.

The fantasista is arguably Italy’s most naturally gifted player and since Giampaolo Pazzini joined him at Sampdoria in January the two have been causing havoc to Serie A’s defences.

Cassano also seems to have matured in respect to his past that was characterized by his crazy antics, tantrums and fiery temper. Despite his last ‘cassanata’ taking place two years ago, when during a match against Torino he threw his shirt at referee Pierpaoli, he has not managed to shake his infamous reputation.

The group, with its implicit trust and unity, has always been of fundamental importance to Lippi’s sides. Italy’s triumph in Germany can, in great part, can be attributed to the close nit group that Lippi managed to form, despite the nation being rocked by the ‘calciopoli’ scandal.

Lippi, as a result of Cassano’s personality, views him as a character that could potentially de-stabilize the group. The coach is also a stubborn man and no amount of badgering from the Azzurri faithful will make him change his mind.

A stark parallel can be drawn between Lippi and Roberto Donadoni, the man who lead Italy in their dismal display at Euro 2008. Whilst Lippi is obstinate in his choices Donadoni succumbed to pressure from the media and fans desperate for him to take both Cassano and Alessandro Del Piero to the Championship, having barely used either in the run-up to the tournament.

To put this into context, prior to Italy’s last friendly before the tournament, Donadoni had only played Del Piero from the start in four out of nineteen games. The last time he had called up the Juventus captain was the previous September, and the coach had picked Cassano just twice, for the initial two qualifiers, way back in September 2006.

The Azzurri’s adventure in Austria and Switzerland was a depressing affair and Cassano provided little magic to a generally dull team.

A coach who knows his mind and is headstrong in his choices is exactly what is needed at the helm of a winning team. Lippi is just that, stubborn and successful.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

One positive aspect of what was otherwise a not particularly noteworthy performance was the debut of Antonio Candreva.

The 22 year old ex-U-21 international, currently plying his trade at Livorno, was one of the most impressive players for Italy.

After failing to gain much playing time at Udinese, last season Candreva went on loan to Livorno in Serie B. He helped the team win promotion and become a key first team player. On the back of this success the loan was renewed and this season he has been the brightest star for the Serie A strugglers.

An intelligent, creative player, Candreva is able to play anywhere in midfield and during the weekend’s game he could be found helping the Italian team all over the field.

Though a few passes were misplaced, what stood out was the understanding that Candreva had forged with his teammates, despite having never previously played with them. Brimming with confidence, he grabbed the occasion and looks set to start again in Wednesday night’s friendly against Sweden.

One for the future.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Friday the thirteenth proved to be unlucky for Italy U-21 coach Pierluigi Casiraghi as he masterminded a 2-0 defeat to Hungary. His side has managed just one win in the opening three qualifiers for the U-21 European Championships. Casiraghi’s side now faces an uphill battle to qualify.

The poor runs comes despite having a team of talented youngsters including, Balotelli, Poli and De Silvestri, all regular starters from clubs in Serie A’s top 5. David Santon, who despite not recently playing for Inter is still a phenomenally talented youngster and Bari centre back Ranocchia, who has helped the club maintain the best defensive record in Serie A.

The Azzurrini have only failed to qualify once for the European U-21 Championship, 1998 in Romania; this is a competition that has been running biennially since 1978. They are also the most successful European nation at youth level, having won the competition five times, their last success in 2004. Failure to reach the tournament would be a disaster.

Casiraghi was appointed as Claudio Gentile’s successor in 2006. Under Gentile’s guidance the team won the European U-21 Championship in Germany, 2004, and in the same year also won the Bronze medal at the Athens Olympics.

The current coach was an unexpected appointment given his lack of managerial experience. His name was suggested by his friend Demetrio Albertini, after the role had been turned down by Giuseppe Bergomi, Ciro Ferrara and Bruno Conti, among others.

It is rumoured that the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, Gianni Petrucci, only found out about the appointment reading the newspaper the next day.

Italy’s youth side is taken seriously and if today’s qualifier against Luxembourg goes badly then it is likely that Casiraghi’s tenure will be brought to a premature end.

When the head of the Italian federation, Giancarlo Abete, was asked if Casiraghi’s job was on the line he responded, “At this moment we should be concentrated on Tuesday’s match.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Replacements are already being studied. Angelo Peruzzi and Angelo Di Livio, two more managers with little experience, and current U-20 coach Francesco Rocca are all being touted.

Let us hope that if another appointment has to be made, which at this point seems likely, that this time the Italian federation gets it right.

1. pitnemolo liked this
2. blonnik liked this
3. breko12 liked this
4. theitalianview posted this