Pressure off Lippias Azzurri win puts Cassano in shade

IT would have been interesting to see the reception afforded to Marcello Lippi in Bari on Wednesday night had Italy failed to return from Montenegro with all three points in tow.

Reports in the Italian media last week suggested that the World Cup-winning coach would feel the wrath of the city’s fans after his refusal to select their hometown hero, Antonio Cassano, for national duty despite his impressive form in Serie A.

Whatever the grievances of the local tifosi, Fabio Licari from Gazzetta della Sport believes that national patriotism will overrule local pride when the Azzurri come to town.