World Champions Italy Don't Need Revolutions - Franz Beckenbauer

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer gave his two cents on the Azzurri's shambolic performance at the Confederations Cup.

27-Jun-2009 11:47:10 PM

More On :  Italy
Franz Beckenbauer (AFP)

Back in 2006, as chairman of the World Cup organisation committee, German football legend Franz Beckenbauer was on the podium to congratulate Italy's players as they were handed their medals after they won the final against France.

Today Der Kaiser spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the Azzurri's highly disappointing display at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, where they represented 'the World'.

"I was truly surprised by Italy: I've never seen them play that badly," he said. "They lost to Egypt, and lost badly to Brazil: it almost seemed like they wanted to go home as soon as possible."

The former World Cup-winning coach did, though, advise Marcello Lippi to "keep his old players."

Asked for a possible explanation of what happened, he said: "The international calendar doesn't help: Italians, English, and Spanish players have eighty matches to play, all at high level. Also in my time we played a lot, but many were friendlies. It's understandable that they're tired.

"However, also Felipe Melo, Robinho, and Kaka play in Europe. I don't know what to think. If Brazil hadn't stopped playing in the second half, they could have scored five or six."

Asked if the World Cup-winning players of three years ago have gotten too old, Beckenbauer answered: "You'd have to ask Lippi. It was a real shame. The losing image went all over the world: Italy have a lot of fans everywhere."

However, he does not believe it is a good idea to introduce too many youngsters at the same time: "It would be very dangerous to make a revolution a year before the World Cup. It's better to keep counting on his key players, which are still of a high level, and learn from this disaster.

"I believe Italy will qualify for the World Cup and show their best face there. However, they have to restart from the defence, which is what all the best teams are built on."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

Now all of our breaking news is at your fingertips. Meet the Goal.com Toolbar, the new and exciting way to take the passion of football with you!


 

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Euro 2012 Group D: Stats to keep at your fingertips Euro 2012 Group D: Stats to keep at your fingertips

    With the final edition of the statistical overview, we take a look at hosts and heavyweights in Group D

  2. Blast from the Past - Euro 1976 Final: Czechoslovakia 2(5)-(3)2 West Germany Blast from the Past - Euro 1976 Final: Czechoslovakia 2(5)-(3)2 West Germany

    This edition of Blast from the Past brings a highly eccentric clash between Czechoslovakia and Germany in the Euro 1976 Final.

  3. Blast from the Past - Euro 1972 Semi-finals: Belgium 1-2 West Germany Blast from the Past - Euro 1972 Semi-finals: Belgium 1-2 West Germany

    In the latest piece of Blast from the Past, Goal.com takes a look at one of the best matches for the tournament's 1972 edition...

  4. Poll: Who will be most missed at Euro 2012? Poll: Who will be most missed at Euro 2012?

    Several key players from the top teams in the competition will be absent from the Poland and Ukraine, but Goal.com asks whose loss from the tournament will be felt the greatest

  5. The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A

    With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer