Lippi labels Brazil World Cup favourites
Reuters - Tuesday 16 March 2010, 13:05
ROME - Brazil are favourites for World
Cup glory in July, Italy coach Marcello Lippi said on Tuesday as
he all but ruled out taking Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli
to South Africa.
European champions Spain have been the pick of many pundits
but Brazil will have extra motivation according to Lippi, whose
world champions are outside bets to retain their title because
of a lacklustre qualifying campaign and an ageing team.
"Brazil are the strongest team," Lippi told a select group
of foreign reporters.
"The Brazilians will be very motivated as last time they
knew they were the strongest team but lost (in the 2006
quarter-finals)."
Italy's lack of creativity has led to a wave of calls from
Italians for outspoken Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano and
Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli to be named in the squad.
However, Cassano's stock has plummeted since the turn of the
year and he will not feature in South Africa while 19-year-old
Balotelli has been dubbed the "wild child" of Italian soccer for
constantly clashing with Inter coach Jose Mourinho.
Some pundits believe black Balotelli should be added to the
squad to improve racial harmony in Italy but Lippi said the
striker was not ready.
"Everyone knows I'm against all racism. There's only one
race, the human race, but I'm certainly convinced a coach can't
pick players for this reason," Lippi said.
"I'm sure when he's completed his process of growing up with
Inter he'll be mature and he'll have qualities useful for the
Italian team."
Lippi said Italy would find it tougher to retain the World
Cup than winning it four years ago and again refused to clarify
whether he would leave after the tournament despite pressure
from the Italian federation.
He denied his team was too old, saying experience counted
for more than youthful exuberance in a month-long tournament,
and joked there was still time for a scandal to bring his
players together just like the 2006 match-fixing affair did.
"Well, we've still got three months left," he said.
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