There are of course two points to examine firstly, the recently poor performances of the Azzurri under the guidance of the legendary Marcello Lippi, now, though I would never wish to criticize Lippi having won the World Cup that would be disrespectful, the side which lost to a buoyant Brazil was aging and in need of a major overhaul. These players are of course legends who again deserve a massive amount of respect; but the average age is thirty and there appears to be little attempt to install youth into the squad, of course with the exception of Rossi who is a fantastically talented young man, but where are those younger talented players who faced Northern Ireland in a friendly in Pisa? Foggia, Mascara, et cetera….. also Lippi’s continued refusal to consider the inclusion of Antonio Cassano is bordering on an obsessive hatred. Mr Cassano is clearly one of the most talented players present in Serie A, and perhaps the world, I have witnessed performances on a par with the likes of Baggio, Del Piero, and more recently the Russian youngster Archarvin, yet despite that fact, and Cassano’s prodigious talent he is still overlooked, due no doubt to his repeated skirmishes with referees and players! This though is an unprofessional reason to Obstinately refuse to include the man, one doesn’t sack one’s best salesman because he happens to be Bi-polar, especially if he repeatedly achieves immensely potent results and breaks records for his/her employer!

The second point is simply this, analysing the league itself, why don’t those with the money at the larger Italian clubs try spending some? Not simply on players but perhaps on the the “development”, and “improvement” of a youth system for both individual clubs and in convergence with the Azzurri; perhaps using the example of the French national sides training camp, which produced unbridled success. Another point is that Serie A is still one of the greatest leagues in the world, but it’s a league which is in need of a “renaissance”, and a rash of new money and new ideas, and perhaps a revamp. The likes of Moratti have hired Mourinho but now to refuse to back him with the relevant rash of signings which might affect the said renaissance, Moratti with all due respect needs to put up or shut, as do his co-directors at other major Italian clubs. Its worth remembering that though tradition is an important element in life as well as Football, traditions were formed by rebel’s and revolutionaries who broke barriers and affected unexpected and fractions changes to the old guard of the time! God bless the Pirate!