Lippi hails 'most important match of my life'
Italy coach Marcello Lippi today described the World Cup semi-final extra-time win over Germany “as the most important game of my life”.
And he is finally able to smile after booking their place in Sunday‘s final.
Throughout the tournament, Lippi has had to put on a brave face with his side having been plagued by injuries and suspensions, and he has also had to deal with the match-fixing scandal which has left Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio and AC Milan facing possible relegation.
After a goalless normal time, Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero finally settled the epic semi-final.
“I have slept two hours,” revealed Lippi, whose side were welcomed back in their camp in Duisburg by 5,000 fans.
“I wanted to watch the game immediately after and I loved it. I am tired but I am really, really happy.
“This is the most important game of my career, excluding Sunday’s final, of course.”
Lippi, who has given his players the day off, now wants them to finish the job in Berlin.
“We have beaten a team of great quality,” said Lippi. “This game had everything there needs to be at this stage of the tournament, even suffering.
“Having watched it on TV, I can confirm what I’ve said before, that we have done better than our rivals in everything, from corners, to possession, to striking the woodwork twice and finally getting the goals.
“Now we must complete the opera.”
Lippi is also well aware of the task his side face against either France or Portugal.
France defeated the Azzurri in the final of Euro 2000, while Portugal reached the final of the same competition two years ago.
“It would be a big disappointment for us to lose on Sunday,” said Lippi.
“We know anything can happen but we will show all our strengths, our great enthusiasm, our quality and our strength and see what happens”
The former Juventus boss, who took over in the national team hotseat after Italy’s early exit from Euro 2004, believes his team’s secret to success has been their self-belief after enduring a testing time for Italian football as a whole.
“I have always considered leading this national team as something magical,” said Lippi.
“From the first day I started up to now, that feeling hasn’t changed.
“Since two years ago, I have tried to transmit this feeling to all my players and they have responded with their great enthusiasm, which has also helped me.
“I think the match-fixing scandal has brought the team closer together when it could have damaged us.”
Roma playmaker Francesco Totti added: “To have won away from home against everyone and everything is a double satisfaction for us.
“We will celebrate but there’s still Sunday’s game left to play.
“To be in this position is really a dream come true, at least for me.
“I think our fighting spirit can get us to lift us to glory on Sunday.”
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