RETURNING Italy coach Marcelo Lippi believes his team must pick up from where he left them two years ago if they are to enjoy success during his second spell in charge.
Two years to the day after the 60-year-old tactician led Italy to World Cup glory following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against France, Lippi is looking to inspire similar success following a Euro 2008 campaign that fell below expectations.
The world champions were a subdued force as they exited the competition at the quarter-final stage following a penalty shoot-out defeat to eventual winners Spain.
Coach Roberto Donadoni paid the price for the team's underachievement when, just four days after their exit, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) opted not to renew his contract.
Lippi was reinstalled almost immediately and is now tasked with galvanising the team in the same manner he did after an equally uninspiring Euro 2004.
And the former Inter and Juventus boss is relishing the opportunity to remould the Italians as a world force.
"What really united us were two years of hard work in which we created a squad which was psychologically strong and compact, where everybody sacrificed themselves for each other," he explained in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Berlin was the crowning of these two years and it is from there that we need to commence from the very first day with the new Italy.
"The psychological aim has got to be to create a squad with the same characteristics.
"That does not mean we have got to win at all costs, but at least we will not rule anything out."
Since Lippi was reinstated the likes of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta, both members of the World Cup-winning squad who have since retired from the international game, have been linked with returns.
However, Lippi insists he will be focusing on breathing new life into the squad with young players.
"I don't like the word 'oldies'," he said.
"There is nothing to dispose of, but lots to evaluate and the national team should not be made up of the same old names.
"I will not name anybody, but I am optimistic. Each two years, we have an under-21 squad playing at the highest level, one of the best in the world.
"That means that, despite the foreigners (in Serie A), we have youngsters in every position.
"I have seen them mature over the last few months on TV and they can guarantee a bright future."
Lippi admits he will also be open to new Juventus striker Amauri, who was born in Brazil but is currently in the process of obtaining an Italian passport, and has yet to make his debut for the Selecao.
"We will wait and see what the player decides, but a player like him would be very useful in Lippi's Italy," added Lippi.
Lippi's first test in his second stint in charge comes against Austria in a friendly on August 20.
In September, qualification for the 2010 World Cup commences with a trip to Cyprus and a home fixture with Georgia in Udine.
The world champions were a subdued force as they exited the competition at the quarter-final stage following a penalty shoot-out defeat to eventual winners Spain.
Coach Roberto Donadoni paid the price for the team's underachievement when, just four days after their exit, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) opted not to renew his contract.
Lippi was reinstalled almost immediately and is now tasked with galvanising the team in the same manner he did after an equally uninspiring Euro 2004.
And the former Inter and Juventus boss is relishing the opportunity to remould the Italians as a world force.
"What really united us were two years of hard work in which we created a squad which was psychologically strong and compact, where everybody sacrificed themselves for each other," he explained in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Berlin was the crowning of these two years and it is from there that we need to commence from the very first day with the new Italy.
"The psychological aim has got to be to create a squad with the same characteristics.
"That does not mean we have got to win at all costs, but at least we will not rule anything out."
Since Lippi was reinstated the likes of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta, both members of the World Cup-winning squad who have since retired from the international game, have been linked with returns.
However, Lippi insists he will be focusing on breathing new life into the squad with young players.
"I don't like the word 'oldies'," he said.
"There is nothing to dispose of, but lots to evaluate and the national team should not be made up of the same old names.
"I will not name anybody, but I am optimistic. Each two years, we have an under-21 squad playing at the highest level, one of the best in the world.
"That means that, despite the foreigners (in Serie A), we have youngsters in every position.
"I have seen them mature over the last few months on TV and they can guarantee a bright future."
Lippi admits he will also be open to new Juventus striker Amauri, who was born in Brazil but is currently in the process of obtaining an Italian passport, and has yet to make his debut for the Selecao.
"We will wait and see what the player decides, but a player like him would be very useful in Lippi's Italy," added Lippi.
Lippi's first test in his second stint in charge comes against Austria in a friendly on August 20.
In September, qualification for the 2010 World Cup commences with a trip to Cyprus and a home fixture with Georgia in Udine.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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