(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Reports out of Italy have suggested that, along with Toni, Gattuso and Zambrotta have also seen their last game in an Azzurri uniform. Both Gattuso and Zambrotta have been staples for Italy but their age is starting to show. The former has barely appearred for AC Milan in 2008-2009 because of injury. This would mean more playing time for younger players like Riccardo Montolivo, who looked shaky in South Africa and could use as many caps as possible before next summer.
Alberto Aquilani is another young midfielder who might see more time next to Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi. But with only eleven international appearances to his name, he'll need more time on the pitch over the next year as well.
It's not often you can call on Brazil as a model of defense, but one of the most impressive elements of the Brazilian system during the Confederations Cup was the use of their wing-backs. The speed of Inter Milan's Maicon was especially dangerous during Brazil's tournament and the Selecao look like they are attacking from the back more successfully than they have in years.
Zambrotta and Grosso on the other hand weren’t dangerous at all. Both wing-backs were integral to Italy's 2006 success and Lippi will need to be creative if he wishes to breathe some life into Italy's play on the wing. The answer may be youngster Marco Motta, another U-21 stand out who should certainly feature for Italy's national squad in the next year.
It's hard to imagine Italy's issues being solved without the introduction of at least seven or eight players, especially up front. This is a disheartening truth for fans of the Azzurri, but one that is understood, it seems, by everyone except for Lippi.
Changing the squad so substantially only one year away from defending their title as world champions is dangerous. Showing up in Africa next year with the old guard would be even deadlier though. It is up to Lippi to adapt before the Azzurri are embarrassed when it really matters.
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