"After the World Cup I’m 99 per cent sure I’ll retire from the national side to dedicate myself to Roma," he surprisingly concluded. This from a recent interview with Totti.
i heard moggi wants to take over the national team, in some sort of role, i think this is why,too much poltics into who gets selected to coach, but totti is a idoit for blasting cappello when he knows he plays with juve players on the national team then again maybe he will pull a nedved,zidane,figo and come back to italy when they are already or almost qualifed for euro 2008 totti is fighting alone in this, how does cassano feel about this, who knows if these guys can work together during the world cup seriously him getting married and having a child did nothing to mature him
We've known this for some time now . . . . If you recall, he thought about quitting after Euro 2004. But decided against it, not wanting to let his "critics" win.
After World Cup 2006 the Italian squad will go under a total 'makeover'. Many will be leaving or some might be to old and never have another chance. The current U-21's will be implemented into the National team and the starting 11 at Euro 2008 will look much different than what it looks like now (except for a few players).
rossi,lupoli,montolvio,cassano,gliardino,nesta,zambrotta,buffon,de rossi,pirlo,grosso,zaccardo,gattuso,toni these players will be there in euro 2008...hopefully out:totti,vieri,del piero,cannavaro,camronesi,
Aside from Vieri, ADP, Totti, and Cannavaro, I don't see the NT changing so drastically--provided Lippi is still the coach. Buffon, Nesta, Zambrotta, Pirlo, Gilardino, Gattuso, Cassano, Iaquinta, Barzagli, Barone, etc., should all be in the frame. Grosso and Toni are 50/50; don't know if they'll show at a major tournament. What we'll need is a new central defender (Bovo!), a new numero dieci (Rossi!) and perhaps another midfielder if Camo. becomes too ancient (Donadel!). We'll see.
I think Iaquinta and Barone are maybe's also. Their call-ups might be based on performance after the WC. I expect to see Pazzini as a striker for the Azzurri by 2008 also. Maybe even Alessandro Potenza, Rosina, Marchionni, Pisanu and here are longshots- Fabrizio Miccoli, Enzo Maresca.
damn totti is class, too bad though and lippi refuses any extensions with the azzurri. doesnt look good after wc06 this wc06 is our tourny.... not brazils not argentinas not englands... this is ours, after this many big names will be impatient and wont want another international game. its now or ..... not in a looooong time
That's why I'm hoping that some players will be motivated in Germany to do well, because it'll be their last chance to win something...
Regency mentioned a good name--Montolivo. Tricky thing is, so many promising players never show on the international stage. Look at Bonera. He seemed slated for greatness; now he's a shaky bet even for Parma. Another worry is leadership: not sure we have enough strong personalities coming up. Maldini left, Canna too will leave soon. Even when you find good players, only a few have that never-say-die attitude--Baresi, Baggio, Maldini, etc. And to win a tournament, you need character in droves.
Hmm...just gave me a thought: Capitano after Cannavaro is gone? Most probably Nesta. And the Italian captaincy always goes to the player with the most caps.