Lippi targets 2010 success

In 2006, just as Italy was to succumb to the damaging Calciopoli scandal, Marcelo Lippi managed to install the 'siege mentality' with staggering success. Despite calcio's impending introspection - and impressive competition from an excellent Germany side, and France - the Azzurri fought their way to victory in the World Cup.

Going out on a high, Lippi was replaced by Roberto Donadoni. The former Milan player's uninspiring football did little to endear him to Italy's demanding tifosi and, with the national side slumping out of Euro 2008 without providing a single shining moment, Donadoni was inevitably out on his ear.

Enter one Marcelo Lippi, World Champion. And, as Ricardo Rossi posted at Serie Aaaaargh!, La Nazionale is ready for much-needed change under the silver-haired tactician.

So, it could be out with the old and in with the new in the Italian camp. Alex Del Piero's international career looks over despite a successful season in front of goal last term. Massimo Ambrosini, the AC Milan midfielder, finally looks out of favour too. I've never really worked out how he's made a career at one of world football's most illustrious clubs, so his absence will hardly be missed.

Antonio Cassano, sadly, is struggling for form at Sampdoria, and will find it difficult to regain his place in the national squad under Lippi, according to Ricardo's post. Cassano's magic is wonderful but all too rare, and with the young talent bursting through Italian football at the moment, he may suffer from his lack of consistency. Perhaps the Brat from Bari will begin to regret his inability to remain disciplined over recent years.

Perhaps the Azzurri's weakest point recently, though, has been up front. The European Championships this summer demonstrated perfectly what a lumbering, useless unit Luca Toni really is - at least at international level. Even worse, his presence imbued in Italy a tendency for hoof-ball. For football puritans, it was positively heartbreaking. Fortunately, Toni's place is under severe pressure from a resurgent Alberto Gilardino and a hugely promising crop of youngsters: Marco Borriello, Mario Balotelli and Guiseppe Rossi.

With Toni suspended for tomorrow's World Cup Qualifier against Montenegro, Gilardino or Fabio Quagliarella (or both) will get a chance to oust him for good. Other names mentioned in Ricardo's post as waiting in the wings are Riccardo Montolivo (23), Sebastian Giovinco (21) and Fabiano Santacroce (22). The future's bright, then, and Lippi has been making ominous noises for the rest of us.

Why? He thinks the squad is already ahead of schedule for World Cup 2010 in comparison with his successful charges back in 2006. If that isn't worth worrying about, I don't know what is.

(Photo Credit: Contraremate.com)