Embarrassing Italy exit... both surprising and expected

The first indications that Italy was going to find the going tough to defend the title of world champions in South Africa emerged a year ago when the Azzurri were prematurely knocked out of the Confederations Cup after back-to-back defeats to Egypt and Brazil.

At the time, criticism was primarily levied at Marcello Lippi for failing to infuse new blood into the team.

The coach, however, rubbished those claims and obstinately stuck to his guns, deciding to stay loyal to the bunch of players from the 2006 World Cup.

Lippi, 62, insisted that the up-and-coming players were still not good enough to deserve a call.

After the poor show in the Confederations Cup, he also affirmed that his side would leave its mark on the 2010 World Cup.

Fast forward 12 months and the fears of most pundits were proved right... Italy were not up to scratch and Lippi had got it all wrong. The writing was on the wall.

The Azzurri finished bottom in Group F with a mere two points from three outings, scoring four goals and conceding five in the process. Surprisingly enough, Lippi's men were never in the lead.

Italy's group did not comprise the likes of Spain, Brazil or Argentina. Instead, Lippi's men were pitted in a seemingly easy pool that comprised Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.

Nevertheless, in South Africa, things turned out sour for Italy and the exit was the earliest in World Cup finals since 1974.

On that occasion, Italy failed to reach the KO stages from a group that comprised Haiti, Argentina and Poland.

Lippi could be right in stating that there are no young stars coming up the ranks even though many find it hard to believe that the Serie A cannot produce talented players, at least, to overcome underdogs New Zealand or Slovakia.

Surely, with the current crop of players, no one expected Lippi's side to be successful in South Africa. Brazil, Argentina and Spain always seemed a cut above the rest.

But with that squad, Lippi did little to enhance Italy's slight prospects of progress.

How can he justify selecting the likes of veterans Fabio Cannavaro, Mauro Camoranesi and Gennaro Gattuso after such a woeful season at club level?

Indeed, Italy's early exit comes as a big surprise and huge disappointment at the same time.

Sad to say, but Italy did not deserve anything better in South Africa because their three performances epitomised a team devoid of spirit and tactical nous.

When he took over from Roberto Donadoni after Euro 2008, Lippi got himself engaged in a tough mission to emulate 1930s legend Vittorio Pozzo and lead the country to back-to-back World Cup triumphs.

But failure to rejuvenate a team that needed wholesale, and not cosmetic, changes to compete with the best will tarnish his otherwise illustrious career forever.

Lippi had enough time to assemble a formidable squad but did not take heed of the experts' advice and blew his chance with his stubborn attitude.

Now, it will take several months for Lippi's successor - Cesare Prandelli - to come up with something different and new.

With hindsight, it would have been better had Lippi dared risk and opt for the less experienced players in South Africa. At least, the new generation would have got an early taste of what playing in a World Cup is all about.