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Euro 2016: Italy Must Keep A Low Profile, Says Former World Cup Winning Coach Lippi

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Former World Cup Winning Italian Coach Marcello Lippi believes that Italy has a good chance to clinch the Euro title but for that the team needs to keep a low profile.

Italy’s build-up to the Euro Championship saw them facing Scotland in a warm-up game on Sunday. The Antonio Conte side looked a bit scattered all over the place and lacked confidence. The former coach Lippi accentuated that more such practice games can bring the team into much better shape. Italy won the friendly match against Scotland 1-0.

“It’s better to start away from the spotlight, saying that Italy is not the favourites,” said Lippi who played a pivotal role in the 2006 World Cup glory.

“Italy always goes to these tournaments to win them. But it’s quite clear that we’re going with less expectations this time, and that the odds are not in our favour.”

“It’s understandable that yesterday night the team should not have been brilliant, it’s what happens when you call players back onto the pitch. That’s why it must be done quite a while before the beginning of the tournament,” said Lippi

Lippi further analysed the present Italy squad and talked about the pros and cons. He praised the team’s counter-attacking abilities and a rock-solid defense at the back.

“As a team we are aggressive and fast on the counter, with the Juventus core defensive line-up and a very compact group. As always, Italy will have its say in Euros,” Lippi said.

“There are a few champions in this squad, everything else will depend on the drive and on Antonio Conte’s excellent work.”

“The team needs to maintain their historical qualities: a great goalkeeper, a great defence, a great core within the team, which has often been that of domestic champions Juventus,” he concluded.

Anirban Das
Anirban Das's journey to Delhi via Kolkata involves football, music, curiosity (which one day can kill the cat) and food. Following global football opens up an infinite space within him in both the conscious and subconscious self, away from the din and bustle of the madding crowd. Supports Manchester United & Barcelona

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