Lippi: "With Balotelli it's like
an electoral campaign"
In the customary Q&A with RAI, the Italy coach brought up the subject of the Inter striker again: "The media have their list of candidates, but I have my own opinion on who will be on the list. He's a nice lad, and it is important for him to play in an international club to learn to many things." As for Nesta, Lippi hasn't "given up hope yet"

MONTECARLO (Monaco), 3 March 2010 - Mario Balotelli is a "nice lad" says Lippi. Nevertheless, when it comes to the squad for the summer World Cup, it looks like there's no way in. "Every newspaper has its list of candidates" Lippi said, referring to the latest media frenzy in the customary Q&A with Raisport organized as part of the exclusive contract between Federcalcio and commercial TV.

Stamp "The media" Lippi continued, "are like political parties, they have their list of candidates and there isn't any danger of them presenting them late because of a stamp here or a missing signature there. He repeated, "I have my own opinion about who will be on the team, and good reason for it, and I'll stick to that". Lippi then explained why he is looking forward to Balotelli maturing. "He really is a very nice lad. I am ever more convinced of how important it is for him to play in an international club alongside world-class players. From them he will get to understand and learn the spirit of sacrifice and many other things. Then he moved onto Nesta. "All I'm saying is that I haven't given up hope yet."

Gym session Montecarlo had a rather unusual welcome for the Italy squad: a wind that was so strong Lippi's team couldn't train outdoors. So the morning session was switched to the gym instead: just a little hiccup that shouldn't affect the players' preparation too much.