Lippi confident of Italy defending World Cup title
June 7th, 2010 - 4:57 pm ICT by ANICape Town, June 7(ANI): Italy coach Marcello Lippi is confident that his team can defend the World Cup title in South Africa to create history by being only the third team to achieve the feat, following Brazil in 1962 and Italy in 1938.
“Italy doesn’t go to World Cup finals just to perform well, Italy will go to South Africa to win. During the last 80 years the World Cup has only been won twice in a row, there is evidence that it will be tough for anyone else to achieve that feat. We have the chance again though,” The Mirror quoted Lippi, as saying.
“We didn’t perform that well in our qualification for the tournament, but my players will have the chance to come together and prove we are capable of retaining the trophy. To achieve this we need to be psychologically prepared, have the technical skill, be positive and also have a bit of luck - why not?” he added.
Italy had won the 2006 World Cup in Germany to claim their fourth World Cup title.
They defeated France 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the final, after extra time had finished in a 1-1 draw.
The World Cup-winning coach also said that he dreams of a showdown with Fabio Capello’s England team.
“It would be great to come up against Fabio Capello’s England side at some stage of the tournament, I would absolutely love that,” Lippi said.
Italy is pitted against New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay in Group F. (ANI)
- World Cup flops Italy receive friendly welcome home - Jun 26, 2010
- Can Italy defend the World cup tile? (Group F team profile) - May 31, 2010
- Slovakia a new symbol of defeat for downcast Italy - Jun 25, 2010
- Lippi, Parreira back Capello to guide England to World Cup glory - Mar 02, 2010
- Capello reverses decision, now ready to invite WAGs to nurture team spirit - Apr 27, 2010
- Play it again Marcello, say world champions Italy (Team Profile) - Nov 30, 2009
- Italy's coach to take a break from football - Jun 25, 2010
- New Zealand hold champs Italy to 1-1 draw (Lead) - Jun 20, 2010
- Titleholders Italy eliminated as Slovakia advance (Second Lead) - Jun 24, 2010
- All Whites happy with spoiler role against Italy - Jun 19, 2010
- We need to invest in youth: Italy's losing captain - Jun 26, 2010
- Stuttering champions Italy face tough opener - Jun 13, 2010
- Allegations of bribery hit Italy team ahead of do or die clash - Jun 24, 2010
- Lippi takes full responsibility for Italy's ignominious World Cup exit - Jun 25, 2010
- World Cup exit: Italian minister slams 'luxury immigrants' - Jun 25, 2010
Tags: 2006 world cup in germany, cape town, coach marcello lippi, england side, england team, extra time, fabio capello, france 5, italy coach, marcello lippi, mirror, paraguay, penalty shootout, slovakia, south africa, technical skill, trophy, world cup finals, world cup in germany, world cup title