The Worst Azzurri Team In Living Memory Have Slim Hopes in South Africa

Watching Italy play against Cameroon the other day cast only more doubt on the ability of this team to retain their World crown in South Africa in June this year. 

The current Italian team are definitely the worst Italian side in generations. Not in living memory has there been an Italian side that was so lacking of quality, not just in one area of the pitch but all over it. 

Perhaps only in the goalkeeping department are Italy quality assured with the unflappable Buffon omnipresent for Italy between the posts. But even in this department, Italy lack depth as Marchetti and Amelia are light years away from the high standards of Buffon. 

At the back, Cannavaro's place within the side remains for no other reason other than that there is no one coming up through the ranks that can replace him. This says much about the defensive crisis Italy are facing for Cannavaro was past his best two years ago and since then he has been more of a liability for both Juventus and Real Madrid than anything else. 

Chiellini at least represents some hope for the future and he will no doubt form the backbone of the Azzurri defense in years to come.

But aside from Chiellini there is really no one else. Bonera and Leggrotaglie are prone to errors and are simply not International standard. 

There may be another hope, however, after the somewhat stellar if not spectacular debut of Leonardo Bonucci. But Bonucci, for now, is a mere hope and nothing more as much remains to be seen of his progress from here on. 

The midfield is possibly Italy's main strength if indeed Lippi's side has one. Both Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo are world-class midfielders. De Rossi is an all-around midfielder, more than competent at breaking up play as he is at making it, whilst Pirlo is able to dictate the tempo of a game with his wonderful vision and passing skills. 

It is not so much the lack of quality in midfield that is the problem as it is the somewhat baffling decisions by Lippi in his squad selection. Pirlo and De Rossi's class are undoubted and these two players together will form the core of the Azzurri midfield no matter what. 

But Lippi's insistence in choosing Gattuso over his Milan team-mate Ambrosini, despite the fact the Gattuso has been atrociously poor this season, is ludicrous. Gattuso has been so poor for Milan this season that he has seen his starting role for Milan disappear as Ambrosini is now the first-choice midfield destroyer for Milan.

The Milan captain has had a fine season and how Lippi continues to ignore him is mystifying, though not unexpected of Lippi. 

Beyond these three players, there are still very limited choices for Lippi in this area.

Montolivo has quality, but has failed to show it on the International stage. 

Pepe simply does not deserve his place in the Azzurri side whilst Palumbo and Cossu hardly inspire much more confidence. 

Claudio Marchisio is probably the best other option for Lippi and given Lippi's continuing refusal to call on Ambrosini, Marchisio will most likely fill the last remaining spot in midfield. 

The real concern is that if either Marchisio and more importantly Pirlo and De Rossi are unable to play, the lack of depth for Italy in midfield is alarming. 

If the Azzurri have to face a Spain, England, Brazil, or Netherlands for that matter, with an under-strength midfield, it may be best to do what Donadoni made his Italian side do against Spain at Euro 2008. That was, play all out defensive, hope to score against the run of play and if worst comes to worst then have penalties decide fate. 

Up front for Italy the picture is not any more promising. In fact, it is less promising. 

Alberto Gilardino remains our best hope. Though he failed to make the grade at a big club when at Milan, Gilardino has put in some impressive displays in this year's Champions League and has scored a respectable 13 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions this season.

With Pazzini yet to prove himself on the international stage, along with Di Natale and Borriello, who will just be hoping for a ticket to South Africa, Gilardino remains our best hope.

Of course, there are other options up front for Italy. Antonio Cassano is the obvious one, though his chances of going to South Africa are next to nothing.

Curiously, it is a player just like Cassano that Italy desperately need. An attacking player with the genius to create something from nothing and change a game.

Italy do not have such a player at the moment. Not least until Francesco Totti comes out of retirement to return in time for the World Cup, if this is what he intends to do.

If Totti does not make himself available again, the Azzurri are going to struggle to make an impact at this year's World Cup event let alone retain their crown.

If Totti does not return and with Cassano not even a consideration, then why not Mario Balotelli?

There is a distinct lack of quality with the current crop of Italian players so why does Lippi not look to the future and consider Balotelli an option?

The Sicilian born Inter striker is undoubtedly the best player of his generation that are slowly coming through the ranks across Italy. With some maturity and experience, Balotelli will become a future star of the game.

Indeed, he already is a regular starter at Inter, which is the strongest side currently in Italy and by some distance.

If a player can demand a regular role in a side like Inter, then how does he not demand the same for such a poor side like the Azzurri.

Never before has the expectation of Italian fans been so slow heading into the World Cup. If Lippi fails to bring back Totti from retirement, then he ought to consider other options. Like Balotelli. 

Most likely, however, he will not. What is likely is that Italy will struggle through the tournament with the current squad as Lippi proves just how stubborn he is. 

Of course, Italy might surprise everyone and somehow manage to win the World Cup. Like they did in 2006. However, this is unlikely.