The off-field incidents during the World Cup qualifier between Bulgaria and Italy in Sofia last weekend took most of the attention in the Italian media as Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri had to settle for a 0-0 draw, a result that kept the world champions in top position in Group Eight.
Italy could not go beyond a scoreless stalemate against Dimitar Berbatov’s Bulgaria.
Earlier in the day, Pierluigi Casiraghi’s U-21 side were also held to a goalless draw by unfancied Israel in Ancona. Their qualification to the final stages of the UEFA Championship, in Sweden next June, is now in the balance.
In Sofia, Lippi had to do without three experienced players who were in the Italy team that won the World Cup – Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi and Andrea Pirlo. Lippi opted to play Udinese’s Simone Pepe instead of Camoranesi and Fiorentina’s up-and-coming midfielder Riccardo Montolivo to replace Pirlo. Palermo’s Marco Amelia replaced Buffon in goal.
The three replacements had mixed fortunes on Saturday.
Amelia was seldom threatened, Pepe had a satisfactory outing on the flank but Montolivo was far from convincing. Better things were expected from the Fiorentina midfielder. He was substituted by Roma’s Simone Perrotta midway through the second half.
But, in his comments, Lippi, 60, had words of praise for the younger generation.
Over the next 18 months or so, players like Giorgio Chiellini, Pepe, Montolivo, Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani, Antonio Nocerino, Alberto Gilardino and Giuseppe Rossi, on as a second-half substitute for Antonio Di Natale on Saturday, are all expected to feature more regularly as Lippi is slowly, but surely, laying the foundations of a team that can mount a serious quest for the honours.
It will not be easy to replace aging stars like Fabio Cannavaro, Luca Toni and others. But Lippi has no other choice. If the Azzurri want to challenge for the 2010 World Cup, then the coach needs to introduce fresh blood in his squad.
Italy were not particularly brilliant in Sofia. However, the team looked organised and solid all the way. Berbatov never stood a chance to have a sniff at Amelia’s goal. There were virtually few attempts at goal on either side.
All in all, many consider the outcome as a useful draw against opponents that, together with Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland and Montenegro, are expected to battle it out for the runners-up spot in Group Eight.
The same cannot be said of the Italy U-21 team and their failure to beat Israel at home in the first leg of the play-off with a slot in the finals at stake.
Casiraghi’s boys barely threatened their opponents. They looked slow as Israel opted for cautious tactics to try and keep their net intact. Sebastian Giovinco did not leave his mark and failed to inspire his companions.
He looked frustrated and was also booked in the second half. For today’s return in Tel Aviv, Casiraghi has to do without the Juve starlet, Claudio Marchisio and Daniele Dessena, all suspended.
Besides, Casiraghi will have to find a replacement for Rossi, who was promoted to the senior squad again, and most probably central defender Marco Andreolli, who limped off injured on Saturday. Mario Balotelli is likely to start in attack.
It will be all but easy for the Azzurrini to make it to the Euro Championship finals as Israel have shown they are no pushovers any longer.