Marcello Lippi insists most national teams “would take” Italy’s record and reveals Bryan Cristante is his favourite Azzurri prospect.
“In 88 years, we’ve won four World Cups and only failed to qualify twice. Any national team would take that, barring a couple…” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“If I’d been technical director with Ventura? Let’s forget that, it’s in the past now.
Marcello Lippi insists most national teams “would take” Italy’s record and reveals Bryan Cristante is his favourite Azzurri prospect.
“In 88 years, we’ve won four World Cups and only failed to qualify twice. Any national team would take that, barring a couple…” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“If I’d been technical director with Ventura? Let’s forget that, it’s in the past now.
“Italy always do their best when the chips are down, and they’re not lacking in quality, despite the presence of foreigners.
“The only difference between now and my time is that young players are starters for their clubs.
“The Italian youngsters I like? Cristante. Every time I see him, he gets four or five chances to score, gets involved without the ball and uses his head.
“After him there’s Pellegrini, Chiesa, Bernardeschi. Barella too, but he’s less aggressive. There’s also Caldara: I like how he expresses himself.
“No CT? The candidates are all in work. There are those who have already showed their value like Conte.
“There are also those like Mancini, who have openly confessed to wanting the national team, which is very important. That also applies to Ranieri.
“Ancelotti would be [my] first choice for his character, experience, plus the career he’s had and trophies he’s won, but he doesn’t seem to have much desire.
“Di Biagio? I thought about him after Azeglio Vicini died: I remember him as a winning symbol for the Coaches of his generation, working in the federation, like [Cesare] Maldini.
“Di Biagio would be a traditional choice, but we need results immediately.”