Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli warns their Confederations Cup group with Brazil, Mexico and Japan “is tough, but we will be prepared.”
The Azzurri were placed in Group A for the tournament in June 2013, which is a warm-up for the World Cup in Brazil.
Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli warns their Confederations Cup group with Brazil, Mexico and Japan “is tough, but we will be prepared.”
The Azzurri were placed in Group A for the tournament in June 2013, which is a warm-up for the World Cup in Brazil.
“It is a tough group and also difficult considering all the travelling, but we will be prepared,” said Prandelli in Sao Paolo.
Their first match is on June 16 in Rio de Janeiro against Mexico, then Japan on June 19 in Recife and finally the hosts on June 22 in Salvador.
“The order of the fixtures is not important. What really counts here is motivation. Brazil can never be considered below par, even if new Coach Felipe Scolari won’t have many opportunities to test out his squad.
“Like Brazil, we too are beginning again from our young players. We haven’t yet decided on our training camp venue, but will announce it over the next few days.”
The encounter with Japan is a very Italian affair, as the Coach who won the Asian Cup is ex-Inter, Milan and Juventus boss Alberto Zaccheroni.
“It will be exciting to take on Alberto, who is a real friend along with a very prepared tactician who can get the best out of the resources at his disposal.”