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| Lippi backs Milan for title |
Friday 31 October, 2008 |
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Italy Coach Marcello Lippi believes Milan will come very close to winning Serie A this year, but also thinks Napoli and Udinese can get their hands on the Scudetto.
Milan are currently third in the League, a point behind Napoli and Udinese who have lit up Italian football.
“The Rossoneri are half a step in front of their rivals,” explained Lippi in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Not so much in the League, but because their rivals will be worn out in the Champions League. Milan are ruthless when they focus on an objective.
“They now want the Scudetto and, it’s not by chance, that a long time has passed since they started so well in the championship.”
Milan have not won the League since 2004 and have prioritised it ahead of their UEFA Cup commitments.
Lippi also has a profound respect for Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti who came under immense pressure after losing the first two games of the season.
“Carlo had to build a team on the run because of the Olympics and South American World Cup qualifiers. A month’s work was enough to give birth to the true Milan.”
The former Juventus and Inter tactician admitted he was impressed with Milan’s Brazilian contingent, but chose to praise the Rossoneri’s Italian players instead.
“The strength of [Gennaro] Gattuso makes me go crazy. He is a great player and a fantastic man. And [Andrea] Pirlo will return soon.”
When asked whether Milan had benefited from Pirlo’s absence, Lippi replied: “It’s folly. Pirlo will give another boost to Milan. He is one of the best players in the world.”
The 60-year-old warned Milan, though, that they would face stiff opposition from Udinese and Napoli.
“They have a pact to stay at the top until March,” he quipped. “In spring the Champions League will leave a profound mark. But, now, [Edy] Reja and [Pasquale] Marino do well to say that their only objective is to conquer enough points to be safe.”
Lippi was complimentary about Udinese’s philosophy as a club and held it up as a model for others to follow.
“Every year, they add another little brick, inserting youngsters of real value into an already competitive group.
“Have you seen the park of attackers they have at their disposition? [Antonio] Di Natale, [Simone] Pepe, [Antonio] Floro Flores, [Fabio] Quagliarella and [Alexis] Sanchez.”
It wasn’t long before Lippi turned to Juventus, the club with whom he won five Scudetti and one Champions League.
“The old guard have put her back on track,” said Lippi, referring to the Bianconeri’s recent troubles. “You saw what [Pavel] Nedved invented in Bologna?
“Juventus had 11 regulars out, but Pavel has taken the team by the hand and carried it to victory. The old dragons have something special in their DNA.”
When asked about Juventus’ market strategy, Lippi singled out Amauri as the signing that has made the biggest impact. “For now, he has been the best acquisition. I follow him with particular attention.”
Lippi also passed comment on Inter and Jose Mourinho who has been criticised after the Nerazzurri recorded their second consecutive 0-0 on Wednesday.
“The problem is that everything regarding Mourinho is blown out of proportion. It becomes ‘issimo’. This is because of his phrases and, naturally, the results.
“But Mourinho is working well. He is not interested in dominating the championship now. He wants to make Inter reach her best in the spring, when the Champions League will also be decided.
“That is the trophy that all the Nerazzurro world wants to win. Don’t you forget that they lack central defenders and now have many injuries in central midfield.” |
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Amauri honoured by Lippi praise
Juventus striker Amauri is over the moon after hearing that Italy Coach Marcello Lippi is keen to call him up for La Nazionale. More |
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