[However, the coach expects to see an improvement from Cassano's team-mate Francesco Totti.] He is going through a good time, ... Finally, he is maturing alongside the team. But I don't want anyone to talk about leaders in this team, Totti is an important player. |
[If Smith was unsure whether his glass was half full or half empty then his counterpart was also struggling to figure it all out.] I'm happy with the result but not the performance, ... We tried everything. We pressed and pressed so congratulations to the Italian team. We tried many ways to attack but Scotland played well. |
[Lippi believes Scotland have improved since Smith succeeded Berti Vogts as manager.] Scotland are growing up very quickly under Walter Smith, ... They gave us a hard match at the San Siro in March and I expect a harder one at Hampden. |
After the win in the Netherlands we said we would have liked it if the World Cup began right away. Three months later we have the same energy. Games like these help convince us that we're strong and not inferior to anyone. |
All national teams face the problem that there is no time to work on their weaknesses and to perfect themselves, if you can even talk about `perfection', |
Better now than at the end of the season. |
But it would be an error to consider these games just a formality. Against Slovenia we have two objectives. The first is to get that point we need to put a stamp on our visa for Germany. The second is to take another step forward in our growth process as a team. |
Cassano hasn't played much this summer, |
Del Piero has played a fantastic game. He is a true quality warrior. |
First of all because we play them first, second because they have great players. |
For bureaucratic reasons we weren't able to organize a game against the world champions and therefore we were presented the opportunity to play against Germany, which is a team with great tradition and big ambitions in terms of the World Cup. |
For me, Del Piero is in form, |
For me, Italy-Germany will always be that mythical 4-3. Even though we won a World Cup against them in '82, it's that game from 1970 that I always remember. |
Francesco can play anywhere on the pitch, as a striker or he can provide the assists for his team-mates to score. |
From here on it's serious, no more expanded rosters. I have to start working on the team for the World Cup. |