The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 194 The grand ceremony opens

After the game, Lippi answered everyone's questions in an interview with reporters.

"I have never been a conservative coach. The reason why I always like to choose what you call 'veterans' is because they are more mature, more experienced, and more trustworthy.

But as you saw in today's game, we have a group of very capable young people.

No one will refuse them, and in the following games I will also let them play at the right time based on their status.

Defending champion? This is difficult and no team has been able to do it yet.

Of course I hope to achieve a result that satisfies everyone this year, let’s wait and see! "

On the evening of June 6, Italy, the defending World Cup champion, started its last warm-up match before going to South Africa in Geneva. The opponent was the Swiss team, its northern neighbor who was also shortlisted for the World Cup.

Both teams are heading into the World Cup festivities in South Africa in just over a week.

However, their state in previous warm-up matches was criticized by the media and fans.

Switzerland desperately needs to get back into shape after losing to Costa Rica and Uruguay.

Although the defending champion Italy reversed Mexico 3-1, it was unanimously criticized by its own media after the game.

They expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Azzurri's poor performance, especially in the first half.

Once a national hero and the only defender in history to win both the European Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year, Cannavaro has become the target of public criticism.

When Cannavaro, who is only 1.76 meters tall, can't jump or run, putting him in the center back position is simply disastrous!

Even Buffon, who wanted to speak for his teammates, was sprayed so hard that he couldn't even lift his head.

Fueled by the Italian media, there are undercurrents surging within the Azzurri.

An irreconcilable conflict arose between the veteran champions led by Buffon and the "newcomers" who represented Italy in the World Cup for the first time.

If a newcomer wants to take over, the old man will naturally not be willing to do so.

And for veterans such as Buffon and Cannavaro who have won the Hercules Cup, their right to speak in the team and the respect of their juniors may be more important than other things.

As for young people like Leo, they definitely want to get the main position and perform in the World Cup.

Originally, Lippi could rely on his position to suppress the conflicts within the team. However, under the stimulation of the media and fans, it has become more and more intense and out of control.

In this match against Switzerland, Italy formed a 4-4-2 formation.

The front line consists of Iaquinta and Pazzini.

In the midfield, Pirlo's position is slightly moved forward, and the other three are De Rossi, Gattuso and Palombo.

On the back line, Chiellini and Bonucci partnered as central defenders, David Thornton and Macho were on the left and right, and Marchetti was the goalkeeper.

How should I put it, the defense is very young, and the midfield and frontcourt are relatively mostly veterans.

Several prominent players who caused a lot of trouble in the past are all sitting on the bench today.

Lippi also communicated with Leo about the lineup for this game before the game. He was not allowed to play because there was no need to inspect him anymore.

No matter what kind of lineup Italy finally arranges for the World Cup, Leo will definitely occupy a starting position.

So it’s time to start hiding something.

Leo could only say that the nickname was correct. Lippi was worthy of being called the "Silver Fox".

After the pick-up, the game started, and the Swiss team kicked off first.

Against the defending World Cup champions, Switzerland actively looked for scoring opportunities from the start.

Fernandez passed the ball through, and Nkufu then distributed the ball to the right wing. Inler used a fake move to get rid of Palombo's defense and then shot long distance!
  Marchetti made a flying save to block the ball!

Then Behrami and Fernandez cooperated, and Lichtsteiner cut in from the right and shot a long shot from the outside of the penalty area and flew into the stands!

Not to mention, the Swiss team is not weak at all!

In the seventh minute, Italy ushered in their first attack of the game.

And it was De Rossi's long shot from outside the penalty area. The ball hit the Swiss defender and bounced out.

Iaquinta and Pazzini had no chance at all in the frontcourt.

Lizzie Steiner made a pass from the right, but Frey's outflanked shot from the center failed to hit the mark and was easily confiscated by Machetti.

The Azzurri counterattacked quickly. Maggio also passed people on the right and passed in. Pazzini flew over and missed the goal by a hair.

Fernandez made a pass from the left side of the penalty area, but Frey missed the shot. Behrami's follow-up shot was blocked by the Italian defender.

Italy's young defense, which looks very worrying, does not seem to be as unbearable as everyone thought.

Compared to a few old guys who may have been very powerful in the past, but their strength has already declined significantly as they grow older, they may not be much inferior.

Because Italy's defensive system has never relied on the personal abilities of one or two players, but on the overall tactical coordination.

Even if all the people in the chain defense built by Lippi were replaced, it would not have much impact. It is enough for everyone to do their job well.

At the end of the first half, the Italian team defended solidly but could not find any particularly good opportunities on the offensive end.

At the beginning of the second half, Lippi made several substitutions.

In the defense, Buffon, Cannavaro, and Gianluca Zambrotta all came on the bench, and the two forwards were replaced by Di Natale and Gilardino in the midfield and frontcourt.

Less than ten minutes into the second half, Switzerland started passing and receiving in the middle.

Ziegler, the Swiss left-back who plays for Sampdoria, dribbled past Gianluca Zambrotta and passed in!
  The strong Nkufu in the penalty area beat Cannavaro to header!
  Buffon failed to save and the ball went straight into the lower left corner of the goal!

One to zero!

The Swiss team takes the lead!

Lippi was not angry, there was even a smile on his face. In the 52nd minute, Swiss midfielder Behrami was replaced by Barnetta due to a strained right thigh muscle.

Two minutes later, Frey's shot from the left corner of the penalty area was blocked by Chiellini.

Immediately afterwards, Inle broke through with the ball from the left, got rid of two Italian defensive players in a row, then cut into the penalty area and fired a low shot!
  Buffon blocked the angle in advance and easily fell down with the ball under him.

Zambrotta then tried to launch an attack, but his cross landed too deep and the ball was headed away by the Swiss defender.

Balotelli and Pepe came off the bench, replacing Palombo and Gattuso.

Italy becomes a powerful offensive formation of 424!
  In the 79th minute, Pirlo's free kick was passed to the left, and David Thornton was double-teamed by two players to score the ball!
  Pepe cut into the right side of the penalty area and passed the ball. Gilardino's header was not on target, and then Balotelli shot again from the back point!

The ball drew a high parabola and finally hit the right post and bounced into the goal!
  One to one!

Italy equalizes the score!

Before the end of the game, Switzerland won a free kick opportunity. Hakanyakin's free kick was well-placed, but was pushed out of the baseline by Gilardino, who was returning to defense.

At the end of the game, Italy drew with Switzerland one to one!
  Such a score and such a game process are naturally difficult to satisfy Italian fans.

The news that Azzurri coach Lippi will resign after leading the World Cup has only exacerbated the tension within the team at this time.

Lippi could still tolerate certain players, but now they are even more unscrupulous.

"Anyway, this old man will be out of class soon. Who will listen to him?"

Under such circumstances, the Italian team set off for South Africa, the venue of this World Cup.

Leo was not interested in the African-style opening ceremony, and the sound of vuvuzelas coming from everywhere also made him feel very noisy.

In the opening match, the hosts South Africa and Mexico drew one to one, which was even more drowsy to watch.

Italy's first round of the group stage will have to wait until three days later. They are in the same group with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.

The Italian media and fans believe that there should be absolutely no problem for the team to qualify from the group.

But only people within the organization know that the current Blue Jackets are not as harmonious as they appear from the outside.

During a training session in Cape Town, Leo was violently tackled while dribbling the ball and fell to the ground in pain.

Although he was not really injured, he still used this as a reason to not appear in the starting lineup for the first round of the group stage.

On June 6, in a match in Group F of the 14 World Cup in South Africa, the defending champion Italy faced the South American powerhouse Paraguay!
  The game was played in the rain and the local temperature dropped to 8 degrees Celsius.

The Italian team has a starting lineup of four, three, and three today.

Iaquinta, Gilardino and Di Natale partnered up front.

Pirlo, Marchisio and De Rossi guard the midfield.

Cannavaro and Chiellini led the defense, and Buffon guarded the goal.

It seems like Lippi has compromised on some players?

In Paraguay, the Dortmund combination of Valdes and Barrios played together, with Santa Cruz as a substitute.

Just 25 seconds into the game, Italy's core player Pirlo was brutally tackled by Riveros, but Mexican referee Achudia ignored it.

Leo sat on the sidelines, frowning tightly.

In the previous two summers, he won the European Youth Championships at both levels in Italy U19 and U21.

Participating in the World Cup with the team this year, I thought it would continue as smoothly as before.

But at present, it seems a bit difficult.

If you want to win the championship, strength is only a prerequisite, and the team must also be united enough.

Otherwise, before the game even starts, there will already be a fight within oneself, and that’s a waste of time.

In today's game, due to Paraguay's initiative to retreat, Italy still had the upper hand.

Criscito passed the ball diagonally into the penalty area, Di Natale outflanked him from behind, and Rodriguez made a key interception in the middle.

Iaquinta's long shot from the top of the penalty area also missed the right post.

Paraguay showed their strict tactical discipline in the World Cup.

The South American powerhouse suppressed Italy's offensive with its tenacious fighting and ferocious tackles.

In the 39th minute of the first half, Chiellini fouled Valdes and Paraguay got a good free kick opportunity in the frontcourt.

Aureliano Torres took a free kick from the right side of the frontcourt, and a precise curve ball was passed into the penalty area!
  Alcaraz leapt high to beat Cannavaro and hit the goal. Buffon watched the ball fly into the lower right corner of the goal!

One to zero!

Paraguay broke the deadlock on the field!

At halftime, Lippi had a rare outburst in the locker room.

"Now we are in the World Cup, and you should all know how special this game is.

There is nothing wrong with my tactics, but our team is lagging behind. What is the reason?

Some people should also know in their hearts, don’t say I didn’t give them a chance, I have given them enough opportunities, but it is you who disappoints me and everyone.

I will make adjustments in the second half. I don’t want any news that is not conducive to unity to come out before the end of the World Cup.

I don't require everyone to give their best, but if you play, you'd better give your best performance.

Otherwise, I will never be the one who is embarrassed. I have won the World Cup, Serie A, and the Champions League. Maybe after taking you through this World Cup, I will go home and enjoy my retirement life.

If someone doesn't let me retire safely and makes me lose my retirement, then don't blame me for being merciless in the future! "

(End of this chapter)