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| | Lippi: Brazil are like buses... |
Sunday 23 November, 2008 |
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Marcello Lippi is excited at Italy's Confederations Cup draw, as it means he'll face Brazil twice in four months.
The Azzurri are in Group A for the South African tournament with Brazil, USA and Egypt - curiously they'll also face the Selecao in a friendly at London's Emirates Stadium.
“What has never happened in a lifetime suddenly happens twice,” smiled Lippi.
“I had never faced Brazil or a Brazilian club in my career as a player or Coach, but now I will take them on twice between February and June 2009. It'll be wonderful. I am happy that we're in a tough group, the kind I like.”
Italy make their debut in the Confederations Cup on June 15 in Pretoria against the United States, then travel to Johannesburg to face Egypt on June 18.
The big clash with Brazil is on June 21 in Pretoria - just over four months after their friendly meeting in London on February 10.
The Coach said he would experiment with some new faces in the tournament that is a warm-up for the 2010 World Cup.
“We certainly aren't going there to lose, so clearly we will push for the best result. That must always be Italy's spirit. It will be a great experience for us and very useful.”
Italy aim to defend their World Cup trophy in South Africa in 2010, so this will be an opportunity to acclimatise to the environment and the new stadia.
“I don't think that's all it is, but rather an opportunity for all the participants to see where they are in technical terms against other top sides.
“It will be a very interesting tournament in every respect and we certainly won't be short on motivation.”
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Confederations: Italy draw Brazil!
Italy are in Brazil's group for the Confederations Cup along with Egypt and USA in South Africa's 2009 tournament. More
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