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Goal Lazio: Will Pasquale Foggia Ever Get Another Chance In Lippi's Nazionale?
‘Il Folletino’ continues to be overlooked by the Azzurri. In his weekly Thursday column, Goal.com's Lazio expert Stefano Federici asks whether the attacking winger will ever be given a chance to shine on the world stage...
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £29.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £27.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £23.00 | Draw £32.50 | Atl. Madrid £27.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £33.00 | Atl. Madrid £32.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £23.00 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £28.00 |
|
Oct 8, 2009 2:00:22 PM
As Italy prepare for their final two qualifying games on the road to South Africa 2010, coach Marcello Lippi has once again caused controversy for sticking to his guns and persisting with his old guard rather than building for the future and putting faith in some of the peninsula’s most in-form players.
As fans up and down the country continue to debate whether Antonio Cassano will ever put on an Azzurri shirt again, the confusion on the blue side of the capital is to why Pasquale Foggia has once again been shelved by La Nazionale. Despite the Neapolitan’s string of impressive displays for the Biancocelesti this term, it seems ‘Pasqualino’ could be victim of Lippi’s decision to once again choose pragmatism over flair, as Italy unimpressively navigates their way to next summer’s World Cup.
With Italy crying out for more attacking midfielders, it seems the Paul Newman lookalike has turned a blind eye to the current goal drought and opted to play safe with his recent choice to call-up six defensive midfielders.
The current Azzurri squad now only consists of Mauro Camoranesi and Simone Pepe in the attacking-midfield role, and this in itself would explain why the Azzurri look extremely short of pace when trying to construct a quick break forward.
Is Pepe Really Up To Scratch?
Whilst many have blamed the average age of the current Nazionale side for their lack of running on and off the ball, it seems the decision to rely on so many holding midfielders is contributing to the lack of goals from the Azzurri forwards, who continue to fall flat despite performing at club level.
After finally making his name in the capital last season, Foggia was deservedly handed a call-up to the Azzurri last June for his third cap with the senior side. Despite spending the first half against Northern Ireland on the bench, it only took ‘Il Folletino’ 45 second half minutes to set the Stadio Arena Garibaldi alight and show the world he could make the grade at international level.
As Azzurri fans across the peninsula licked their lips in delight at the attacking flair of Lippi’s youthful Azzurri following their spectacular display in Pisa, few could have predicted how the protagonists of such an entertaining performance would be cast aside as normal service resumed for the subsequent Confederations Cup.
After being praised by Rai’s post match commentary team for a performance worthy of his boyhood hero Diego Maradona, the 26 year old Neapolitan was understandably moved by his special moment. “To realise my first goal in the Azzurri shirt is an amazing feeling and I couldn’t be happier,” he declared.
Shortly after his moment in the spotlight, Lazio’s no.17 surprisingly admitted he had no chance of going to the World Cup. Confined to enjoying his 15 minutes of fame with the Azzurri, Foggia didn’t mince his words and had clearly been well-briefed that the coach was unlikely to experiment when it really counted.
As a nation slowly falls out of love for the side that brought so much joy back in Germany 2006, it seems Foggia’s flair could be his own undoing, as Lippi opts for labourers rather than artisans to construct the side that will look to defend its title in eight months time.
Mancio Only Featured 36 Times For The Azzurri
As form alone is not enough to convince the World Cup winning coach, it is likely Foggia may have to wait until the next regime before he gets a real chance to stake a claim for a regular place in the Nazionale setup.
Should the current management stay in place after South Africa 2010, there is a fear he may follow the likes of Roberto Mancini and Paolo Di Canio into the wilderness of international obscurity.
What are your views on this topic? Has Foggia been overlooked or is Lippi right to trust in the old guard whilst Italy navigates World Cup Qualifying. Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Stefano Federici, Goal.com
As fans up and down the country continue to debate whether Antonio Cassano will ever put on an Azzurri shirt again, the confusion on the blue side of the capital is to why Pasquale Foggia has once again been shelved by La Nazionale. Despite the Neapolitan’s string of impressive displays for the Biancocelesti this term, it seems ‘Pasqualino’ could be victim of Lippi’s decision to once again choose pragmatism over flair, as Italy unimpressively navigates their way to next summer’s World Cup.
With Italy crying out for more attacking midfielders, it seems the Paul Newman lookalike has turned a blind eye to the current goal drought and opted to play safe with his recent choice to call-up six defensive midfielders.
The current Azzurri squad now only consists of Mauro Camoranesi and Simone Pepe in the attacking-midfield role, and this in itself would explain why the Azzurri look extremely short of pace when trying to construct a quick break forward.
Is Pepe Really Up To Scratch?
Whilst many have blamed the average age of the current Nazionale side for their lack of running on and off the ball, it seems the decision to rely on so many holding midfielders is contributing to the lack of goals from the Azzurri forwards, who continue to fall flat despite performing at club level.
After finally making his name in the capital last season, Foggia was deservedly handed a call-up to the Azzurri last June for his third cap with the senior side. Despite spending the first half against Northern Ireland on the bench, it only took ‘Il Folletino’ 45 second half minutes to set the Stadio Arena Garibaldi alight and show the world he could make the grade at international level.
As Azzurri fans across the peninsula licked their lips in delight at the attacking flair of Lippi’s youthful Azzurri following their spectacular display in Pisa, few could have predicted how the protagonists of such an entertaining performance would be cast aside as normal service resumed for the subsequent Confederations Cup.
After being praised by Rai’s post match commentary team for a performance worthy of his boyhood hero Diego Maradona, the 26 year old Neapolitan was understandably moved by his special moment. “To realise my first goal in the Azzurri shirt is an amazing feeling and I couldn’t be happier,” he declared.
Shortly after his moment in the spotlight, Lazio’s no.17 surprisingly admitted he had no chance of going to the World Cup. Confined to enjoying his 15 minutes of fame with the Azzurri, Foggia didn’t mince his words and had clearly been well-briefed that the coach was unlikely to experiment when it really counted.
As a nation slowly falls out of love for the side that brought so much joy back in Germany 2006, it seems Foggia’s flair could be his own undoing, as Lippi opts for labourers rather than artisans to construct the side that will look to defend its title in eight months time.
Mancio Only Featured 36 Times For The Azzurri
As form alone is not enough to convince the World Cup winning coach, it is likely Foggia may have to wait until the next regime before he gets a real chance to stake a claim for a regular place in the Nazionale setup.
Should the current management stay in place after South Africa 2010, there is a fear he may follow the likes of Roberto Mancini and Paolo Di Canio into the wilderness of international obscurity.
What are your views on this topic? Has Foggia been overlooked or is Lippi right to trust in the old guard whilst Italy navigates World Cup Qualifying. Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Stefano Federici, Goal.com
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