FIFA World Cup 2010
Italy
 ItalyItalian Football Federation Best Results
World Cup Winners, 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 European Championship Winners, 1968 Olympic medal Gold 1936 Bronze 1928,2004 |
The Scuadra Azzurra is the European team with the best record in the FIFA World Cup. With four championships, the Italian team arrives in South Africa ready to defend its last World Cup title, from Germany 2006. Together with Brazil the Italian team is the only team who knows what it means to win two consecutive World Cups. Although they don’t figure as one of the three favorites teams to win the Cup, the Azzurri, with their practical and organized football, could give a surprise and reach their fifth World Cup title, leveling the record with Brazil.
The 2010 Word Cup marks the Italians’ seventeenth participation in the event. The obvious truth is that they have been very successful in international football. They won World Cup Championships in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 and, on top of that, were the runner-ups in 1970 and 1994. At the Italian World Cup in 1990, the home team got 3rd place. In 2006, like today, little was expected from the Italian national team; yet Italy took the title. Now, none will deny that Marcelo Lippi’s squad has potential.
Qualifying Stage
The Italian squad may not be the most showy or elegant football team when facing its rivals, but the team may be the most efficient and practical.
The team took the lead in Group 8. In the qualification stage the Azzurri squad won seven games, tied three, scoring 18 goals and receiving just seven goals against. Despite their decent record, the Italians didn’t earn their ticket to the 2010 World Cup until the penultimate round of the qualifying round. But this should not discourage any of the Italian team’s fans; the Italian team faced the same scenario during its qualifying rounds in 1982 and 2006. That is, dour beginnings may be the squad’s secret ingredient; the players surely have the makings to repeat their team’s past successes.
Players
In the past 20 years, the Italian defense has been considered one of the best in the world. The list is extensive, but the immediate names that come to mind are Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gatuso. The last of these provide the foundations for the team’s defense; there is a particularity that characterizes them. The Italian defenders are both reliable and versatile; without much trouble they can defend as well as join the attack. Gatuso best represents the transition between defense and midfield.
Moreover, this team also has one of the best goalkeepers today, the 31-year-old Gianluigi Buffon. At the World Cup 2006, he proved that he was the right man in difficult moments. His deflection of Zinedine Zidane's header in overtime in the final and his incredible catches throughout the World Cup remain in the memories of the squad’s many followers.
On offense, the striker Alberto Girardin promises to repeat his strong contribution during the qualifying stages of this year’s World Cup, as do Antonio di Natale, Vincenzo Laquinta and Girardino.
Head Coach
At 62, Marcello Lippi is one of the most experienced coaches in international soccer. He has achieved several league titles, including the UEFA Cup, as well as several Scudettos in the Italian Serie A. In addition, Lippi is one of the few coaches who knows what it is to lift the World Cup.
Following his excellent work in the World Cup of 2006, Lippi decided to withdraw his position as head coach of the Italian national team. But two years later, after the poor performance of his successor, Roberto Donadoni, Lippi has been called upon again to guide the national team. The manager has confidence that his team can repeat its 2006 feat and take a fifth World Cup title.