Lippi keeping faith in old guard

Posted Monday, April 12, 2010 by FIFA.com

"Since I started out as a coach, be it at club level or with the national team, my decisions have been dictated by one guiding principle: I’ve never let myself be swayed by campaigns coming from outside the camp. If I’m convinced that something needs doing, I see it through to the end.”

"Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the 2006 success which influences my decisions,” said the strategist who masterminded the Nazionale’s fourth FIFA World Cup crown. “In any case, in Italy you’re not judged on what you’ve done in the past: you’re judged on what comes next.”

Be that as it may, serious doubts have been raised as to whether the experience and charisma of Cannavaro in particular, the centre-back voted FIFA World Player for 2006 after his heroics on German soil, are enough to compensate for his lost yards of pace. Fellow defensive regulars Zambrotta, Grosso and Juventus’ Nicola Legrottaglie have also struggled to convince this season, while midfield warrior Gattuso is no longer an automatic starter at AC Milan. Indeed, only 32-year-old Buffon remains unimpeachable, and he can expect protection from club-mate Giorgio Chiellini, a relative spring chicken at 25.

That said, it hardly inspires confidence that Buffon and Chiellini are two of five Gli Azzurri regulars in a Juventus defence that has already conceded 47 goals in 32 Serie A encounters this season – a worse record than 14 fellow top-flight outfits. “You don’t judge a player’s quality on age or technical ability alone. Enthusiasm, experience, charisma, wisdom, international experience: they’re all part of the equation,” said the Italy boss.

“The World Cup is about seven games over a month, we don’t necessarily need all the players to be 24 years old. If I had to use this team over an entire league season I’d probably make some different selections. But for a month it’s not a problem,” Lippi continued, a viewpoint borne out by the fact his side conceded just seven goals in ten South Africa 2010 qualifiers – including two in their final match against Cyprus with top spot already assured.

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