Marcello Lippi has warned Amauri to decide between Italy and Brazil. “We cannot be second choice for anyone.”

The Brazilian striker is applying for Italian citizenship and was asked to be part of the Azzurri by former boss Roberto Donadoni.

Amauri took his time and has still said he will not decide which country to play for until well into the new season, as he waits to see whether he’ll receive a call from the Selecao.

“I don’t like a player who skips between national sides for a month. When he finally does make a decision, it would inevitably seem like a second choice and Italy cannot be second choice for anyone,” the Coach told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I want to see a firm decision and ask nothing else. If he does become legally Italian and chooses us, I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed.”

Lippi is looking to the future of the Nazionale, but also to the recent past, as Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta potentially reconsider their decision to retire.

“I advise anyone never to give a definitive farewell to international football, as they might end up reconsidering like Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele.

“I’ll be paying close attention to the Olympic Games, as there are four or five players I’m keeping an eye on.”

Although he did not name them, the Gazzetta dello Sport suggests some of those ready to make the leap up from Under-21 level are Giuseppe Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino, Sebastian Giovinco, Robert Acquafresca and goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

If there is one man guaranteed his spot with the Azzurri – and most likely the captain’s armband after wearing it intermittently at Euro 2008 – it’s Gianluigi Buffon.

“Gigi was the best confirmation we had during that tournament. He is Number One both on the pitch and in his statements.”

Buffon caused controversy with Donadoni when he publicly apologised on behalf of the team for their 3-0 defeat to Holland.

Ref From channel4.com

Azzurri marksman Luca Toni has faith that Marcello Lippi will lead Italy back to winning ways.

The Viareggio native led Italy to World Cup glory in the summer of 2006, but his successor Roberto Donadoni was unable to extend the golden era.

After a miserable Euro 2008, Lippi is back at the helm and Toni thinks he can reverse La Nazionale’s fortunes.

“There’s lots of pressure, but he is the right choice and he will take things forward,” the Bayern Munich star said on Sport Sera.

“What went wrong at Euro 2008? We got off to a really bad start and we ran into a side that were on great form at the time.

“We turned things around well to get through the first round and we deserved to qualify for the knockout stages, but Spain were worthy winners of the competition.”

Lippi’s second coming begins with a friendly against Austria in France on August 20.

Ref From channel4.com