Italy have not lost to the US in over 75 years of competitive football. However, Bob Bradley’s Americans are hoping to spring a surprise in the two sides’ opening match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.The match
USA-Italy, 15 June, 20h30 (local time), Tshwane/Pretoria
Defending world champions Italy face a potential banana skin in their 2009 Confederations Cup opener against reigning CONCACAF kings the USA. The Americans are currently in a rich vein of form, losing only twice in their last 13 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifiers and fresh off a come-from-behind win over Honduras just seven days ago. The Italians, though blessed with world-class talent throughout the team and on top of European Zone qualifying Group 9 for South Africa 2010, have not played a competitive match since 1 April.
Italy will take heart from a pair of friendly wins since arriving on South African soil, a 4-3 result against Oceania representatives New Zealand and a 6-0 rout of a local Pretoria XI Select squad. The Americans, for their part, arrive in Africa with a strong, youthful squad. Coach Bob Bradley, who took over from former mentor Bruce Arena after the failures of the last FIFA World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, has assembled a team bristling with spirit and optimism, if a little short on experienced campaigners.
In nine meetings historically, Italy have never lost to the USA. The two first met in the opening game of the 1934 FIFA World Cup, where Italy ran out 7-1 winners. The last clash between the two ended in a 1-1 draw, in Kaiserslautern at Germany 2006.
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