Indeed I am a fan. I even have merchandise and all. I share about 70% of the passion I have for Danish NT for Italia.
I have some opinions on them too:
I think people wo critize us for winning stuff with a so called 'bad' attitude on the pitch must accept the fact that Italians don't want champagne football. They want trophies. Hence it would be a crime to start playing like Real Madrid. I've heard a lot of arguments against Italia and so far every single one of them have been unjustified. I'm sad though that some Italians, and I emphasize the word some, try to go out and critize all the other teams if their country go out.
It's ok to do that mildly which is in many cases true. However it does happen that they cross the line.
The accusations of Denmark and Sweden of all countries to have cheated in EC 2004 was the all time high of this behavior. As me and Jimbo tiredly tried to explain you it is utopia to think so. Be nice when you go out, please. All other nations are nice to them so they should repay that!
I think we will win World Cup 2006. And if not at least reach the final. Lippi will bring us glory and frankly I'm not bothered too much by the fact that he is a Juventino. I somehow even believe he had no part in the doping scandals. I'd rather have such a fantastic coach as him than a bad one I have absolutely nothing against on a personal level.
About the team, I think Lippi has already done very well. He has called up some coming stars for Italia and had the guts to replace bad performing mega stars. Even including his own Del Piero who must be like a son to him. I've been of the opinion for a long time that I simply do not understand why Alessando Del Diero hasn't retired long ago. He is not good enough to be a starter in Juventus and we can certainly do much better than him on a national level.
It doesn't help my beloved Italia's image either that he has doped himself. That in itself SHOULD mean he can't play for Italy regardless of how good you think he is.
I'm expecting great things from the revived Cannavaro in Germany. Now that we've qualified already we can start discussing that too even if it's far away in the future. It will be crucial for us that Cannavaro will play like he is doing for Juventus right now.
If he does that, my God, we will be strong! :lala:
Of course one man alone can't take us to glory but he's the captain and needs to go first. The transformation Lippi seems to be doing right now appears nothing short of genious. Let's hope he sticks with his policy of benching non performing players in favor of people willing to fight like Toni over Del Piero for example.
I am very confident of glory coming soon.