Paddy Agnewlistens as Italy's wily coach praises his opposite number as "a role model" for a generation

NOT SURPRISINGLY, Italian coach Marcello Lippi faced questions on the rejected local hero, Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano, when he faced the media last night at Bari’s San Nicola stadium.

If the local reporters expected to receive an explanation as to just why there is no space for Cassano in Lippi’s Italy squad, they were to be disappointed.

With steely firmness of intent, the Italian coach said that on the eve of tonight’s important qualifier against Ireland, he did not want to waste precious energy talking about an absent player, saying: “I only want to talk about tomorrow night’s game, okay?”

The local reporters wanted to know if Lippi felt himself “at home” in Bari, a reference to any potential negative reaction that the Cassano affair may prompt from tonight’s home crowd.

“I don’t live in Bari, I live in Viareggio so I don’t feel at home here but I do feel that I am in my native Italy here. I’m sure that Bari, as it has always done, will really get behind this Italian team. . . a side that gave Italians a wonderful moment three years ago when winning the World Cup . . .”

In contrast, when he was asked for his opinion of his opposite number, Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, Italy’s coach waxed positively lyrical, reflecting the “return-of-the-prodigal-son” mood that has surrounded Trap here in Bari.

“If I were to list all Trapattoni’s good qualities, we would be here all night. For the coaches of my generation, Trapattoni was a role model. His passion, his determination, his seriousness, his skill, his ability to motivate players were all reference points for the coaches of my generation.

“And it’s fantastic that, at 70 years of age, he still has that tremendous drive and willingness to teach football all around the world.”

When one reporter pointed out Trapattoni had earlier in the day described tonight’s game as a case of “David versus Goliath”, Lippi was quick to deny there was such a big gap between the two teams, saying: “David versus Goliath? I wouldn’t say.

“Trap is an experienced coach and he says things like that to motivate his players. The reality is that his Ireland side are just two points behind us . . . we’ve a lot of respect for them, they’ve done very well this far.

“I see them as a good team, a strong, physical side with some very gifted players . . . We’re not frightened of this Ireland but we have plenty of respect for them”

Asked how he compared this side to the one with which he won the World Cup, Lippi said his current team is very much a “work in progress”, pointing out that he only really began to get the sensation that things might go well in Germany when the then team played important friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany, after the qualifying group was over and 18 months after he had taken charge.

One reporter asked if he thought there was any way Ireland could defeat his side.

The Italian coach’s response was quick and to the point: “I certainly hope not”.