Lippi isn’t the kind of guy concerned with critique or running after world records, and I’m sure most of us here would agree getting three points out of a match (such as Italy did today against Montenegro) is the most important thing. Yet, it must come as great satisfaction when someone tells you you’ve officially achieved 30 consecutive matches unbeaten at the Azzurri helm, which puts you right up there with a legend like Vittorio Pozzo (for those unfamiliar with pre-World War II history, he was the World Cup winning coach in 1934 and 1938).

As for today’s match, it was without question a Giallorossi’s affair. Starting with the shirt Montenegro was wearing (red & yellow), the home stadium (Lecce, which traditionally wears those colours), and above all Alberto Aquilani: the Roma midfielder had not played this well since the match vs. Real Madrid back in March, and highlighted his performance by two goals (including his first ever for the Azzurri). Sprinkle a little bit of Mirko Vucinic in between (yet another Roma player), and the picture is complete.

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