Good news and bad news for the azzurri team in the last several days. After some unconvincing play in their last warm-up games, they will get some rest now. Unfortunately, the games didn’t sort anything out but, more, they gave Lippi more things to think about.

Even accepting that some players are still some way short of full match fitness, Italy’s performances in Geneva and Lausanne were still anything but scintillating. Against Ukraine in particular, Lippi’s side rarely looked threatening and struggled to find any continuity in attack until Blokhin’s men tired towards the end.

Throughout, there was a distinct lack of penetration to their play. The build-up was too slow and laboured, both in defence and midfield, where Pirlo continues to struggle to dictate the pace of games, launch attacks and create effective openings for his strikers. Things can only improve once the squad have completed their final preparations.

Up front, Inzaghi has not been given enough time to be judged, although it should be acknowledged that, while Toni and Gilardino got in each others’ way at times, they have shown in the past that they can work well together. Furthermore, if there was one major plus from the week, it was the sharp, incisive build-up that led to Gilardino’s goal against Switzerland.

It will be interesting to see who is given the nod should Lippi opt for just one out-and-out striker in front of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero. It would appear more straightforward were the coach to plump for two front men; after all, the Toni-Gilardino partnership has been tried and tested, and proved effective.

Though Totti made a great come back and recovery, he is still in doubt as he will be able to perform on his top form.

Everyone has their fingers crossed for a fully-fit Totti, as Italy’s hopes of making progress in the tournament rest in no small part on his shoulders, particular as the alternatives - Del Piero included - do not look convincing. In any case, the Juventus man cannot be considered a direct replacement for Totti as he prefers to play further to the left.

Source: WCoffsite