Lippi recalls Marchionni for key qualifiers.

August 31, 2009

Marcello Lippi has named the 23 players for the upcoming world cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria on the 5th and 9th of September respectively. Surprise inclusions into the squad include viola midfielder Marco Marchionni, Claudio Marchisio, Domenico Criscito and Nicola Legrottaglie. It was a surprise inclusion for Marchionni who was signed by Fiorentina in the deal that saw Felipe Melo move to Juventus over the summer. With, Gattuso injured in the Derby della Madonnina (Milan derby) on the weekend, it was thought that Marchionni’s team mate Montolivo would be called up by Lippi.

Montolivo’s form has not been good in in recent matches and even in the recent Confederations Cup as I mentioned in my previous post, so it is no surprise to see Lippi try other options. Although the recent poor form of Andrea Pirlo has been forgotten by Lippi, as he has put his faith in the world cup winner to anchor the midfield with Roma’s maestro Daniele De Rossi.

I am little disappointed blucherchiati strikers Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano have been overlooked as both form a prolific partnership together for Sampdoria and it would be incredible to see this replicated for the nazionale. Perhaps Lippi could have replaced Pepe with Cassano and Rossi with Pazzini in the squad?One only has to look at Cassano’s most recent match on against Udinese to wonder why such an incredible talent is continually overlooked.

The popular roman based sports paper Corriere Dello Sport is trying its best to conjure up public support for the inclusion for Cassano, with various articles, polls and videos all essentially asking the same question. In fact the poll on the site currently is asking if Cassano should be called up for the Azzurri, and as it stands an overwhelming 93% of the 1833 respondents believe he should be given an opportunity. Although a small sample, I found by reading many comments on the site that public opinion is definitely against Lippi on this decision in particular.

Perhaps another notable exclusion was Luca Toni, who has struggled with form for both club and country over the past year. With Bayern Munich bringing in new strikers over the summer and Toni not changing clubs during the transfer period, it seems he is surplus to requirements for the bavarian club.With little playing time in a foreign league it is doubtful if Toni will get a recall anytime soon. It must be said with Toni in the team they seem to rely on long aerial balls to the tall striker, forgoing attacking runs or playing the ball to the feet. Toni is good at what he does don’t get me wrong, but this strategy was caught out many times during the confederations cup. These two games are a chance for the team to redeem themselves after the disappointing exit from the Confederations Cup, and most importantly obtain pick up 6 vital points towards qualification.

The 23 players called up by Marcello Lippi for the games against Georgia on September 5th in Tiblisi and Bulgaria at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin on September 9th include the following:

Goalkeepers: Buffon, De Sanctis, Marchetti

Defenders: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Legrottaglie,Santon, Zambrotta

Midfielders: Camoranesi, D’Agostino, De Rossi, Marchionni, Marchisio, Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo

Forwards: Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Quagliarella, Rossi.

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