Italy's World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi declared himself happy with his return to the helm of the Azzurri despite being held to a 2-2 draw against Austria on Wednesday.
Two second-half goals saw the world champions recover from a two-goal deficit to extend Lippi's unbeaten run as coach of Italy to 26 games.
The last time Lippi sat on the Italy bench was for the 2006 World Cup final, and although he had to watch his side go two goals down in the first half the Azzurri boss was glad to be back in charge.
"It is a great feeling to be back," he told Rai television. "It was not so great to go 2-0 down and I'm not really much used to that, but we improved in the second half and put the scoreline straight."
Lippi fielded seven members of the team which defeated France World Cup final while Alberto Gilardino, who was an unused substitute on that occasion, led the attack.
The Fiorentina striker had scored eight of his nine international goals under Lippi's guidance, and he was helped by the Austrians to a 10th when he chased in an Antonio Di Natale cross which was diverted into his path by Austria defender Martin Stranzl.
Italy's second goal was also a gift from the Austrians with substitute goalkeeper Ramadan Oczan punching the ball into his own goal, but Lippi was not complaining.
"We had several good chances to win it and were unlucky not to, but we did have some luck with our goals," he said. "We looked to win this game to the end and it is not easy against a physical team like this.
"Maybe they aren't a team with huge quality, but they are physical and athletic and they showed it."
Lippi gave Nicola Legrottaglie his debut in the second half while new Liverpool signing Andrea Dossena also pulled on an Italy shirt for the first time as part of a makeshift defence.
And Legrottaglie could not hide his pleasure at being involved.
"For me to play with the world champions was an honour," he said.
"We all had the desire to do well for this first international game of the season and the return of Lippi gave us a bit extra incentive and it was a good game."
However, Lippi revealed the Juventus defender may have to return to the bench for Italy's next game against Cyprus next month.
"I hope we can get (Alessandro) Gamberini fit again for next month as he and (Giorgio) Chiellini are the future of our defence," the coach admitted.
"But even here we had players who belong to our future."
The last time Lippi sat on the Italy bench was for the 2006 World Cup final, and although he had to watch his side go two goals down in the first half the Azzurri boss was glad to be back in charge.
"It is a great feeling to be back," he told Rai television. "It was not so great to go 2-0 down and I'm not really much used to that, but we improved in the second half and put the scoreline straight."
Lippi fielded seven members of the team which defeated France World Cup final while Alberto Gilardino, who was an unused substitute on that occasion, led the attack.
The Fiorentina striker had scored eight of his nine international goals under Lippi's guidance, and he was helped by the Austrians to a 10th when he chased in an Antonio Di Natale cross which was diverted into his path by Austria defender Martin Stranzl.
Italy's second goal was also a gift from the Austrians with substitute goalkeeper Ramadan Oczan punching the ball into his own goal, but Lippi was not complaining.
"We had several good chances to win it and were unlucky not to, but we did have some luck with our goals," he said. "We looked to win this game to the end and it is not easy against a physical team like this.
"Maybe they aren't a team with huge quality, but they are physical and athletic and they showed it."
Lippi gave Nicola Legrottaglie his debut in the second half while new Liverpool signing Andrea Dossena also pulled on an Italy shirt for the first time as part of a makeshift defence.
And Legrottaglie could not hide his pleasure at being involved.
"For me to play with the world champions was an honour," he said.
"We all had the desire to do well for this first international game of the season and the return of Lippi gave us a bit extra incentive and it was a good game."
However, Lippi revealed the Juventus defender may have to return to the bench for Italy's next game against Cyprus next month.
"I hope we can get (Alessandro) Gamberini fit again for next month as he and (Giorgio) Chiellini are the future of our defence," the coach admitted.
"But even here we had players who belong to our future."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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