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| Lippi up for great start |
Monday 8 June, 2009 |
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La Nazionale has landed in South Africa for the Confederations Cup and Coach Marcello Lippi is already relishing the chance to beat the US in the opening game on June 15.
The Americans managed to hold the Azzurri to a draw at the Germany 2006 World Cup so this would be the perfect occasion for the Italians to make up for it.
“This will be our most important game because if we beat them then it will be easier to approach the following games,” revealed Lippi. “If we fail the situation will get complicated for us.
“We expect to play a great tournament and it will be fundamental for us to establish our team early and look to improve and grow.”
Following the game against the US, the Azzurri will take on Brazil in a exciting encounter which many see as an anticipation of the next World Cup Final.
“Brazil are the best team in the world at the moment, while we are world champions so it’s understandable that there is a lot of interest in this game.
“They are really strong, fast and can be very dangerous. But we cannot really compare each other because our styles of football are totally different.”
Lippi was also fascinated by South Africa, the host nation of both the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.
“I have never been here before but I have heard lots of good things about it. I am curious to discover the people and their culture. I have only been to Egypt before,” he concluded.
The Azzurri were welcomed in Africa by cold weather – around 10° degrees – plenty of wind and humidity. Their first training session took place in Irene, a village between Johannesburg and Pretoria, which will be their head-quarter. On Wednesday the Azzurri will face New Zealand in a friendly game.
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