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TOUGH DRAW

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The Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli has said that his team have been given a tough draw for the 2013 Confederations cup that will take place in Brazil. This is usually the precursor tournament for the World Cup. Italy have been drawn in the same group containing the likes of Japan and Mexico along with the hosts of the tournament – Brazil. This means that we have to contend with three good teams, who will also be looking to qualify for the next stage. The other group consists of the current champions Spain, Uruguay, Tahiti, and the winner from the African cup of nations 2013.

Brazil recently sacked the manager Mano Manezes and replaced him with the former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is no stranger to getting Brazil to success at the world stage. Scolari led the Brazilian national team to the 2002 World Cup title in Japan. Hence, they should not be taken lightly even though they have been trying to bring in a number of youngsters and change the style of play in recent seasons. Results have been improving under the sacked manager, but they are expected to reach the heights of the Brazilian team more than a decade ago under Scolari.

Hence, this is an extremely tough group to get past according to the former Fiorentina manager. “It is a tough group and also difficult considering all the travelling, but we will be prepared. 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,” said Prandelli after the draw for the Confederations cup was made. The tournament will take place from the second week of June till June 30.

PRANDELLI EXPECTS TOUGH MATCH

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The Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli has said that he is expecting tough match against France when the two sides meet each other in a friendly match. The Italians have a poor record when it comes to friendly matches because they have not won a friendly match in the last 12 months. Their last win in a friendly match came against Poland more than a year ago. This time around, Prandelli will be without the services of the Roma midfielder Daniele Di Rossi after the 29-year-old has been omitted from the squad due to disciplinary reasons.

France come into the match on the back of a confidence boosting 1-1 draw with the world champions Spain in the last World Cup qualifying group match. They have certainly changed their style of football under the new management. This makes them a particularly tough prospect according to the Italian. He has also dismissed suggestions that it will be a normal match because against France it never is the case. He has also said that both teams are likely to show a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. Prandelli has said that he is looking forward to picking the AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy, who has been in sensational form this season.

“It won’t be a normal match against France, it’s never a normal match against them. We know that very well, having faced them many times in important competitions and in finals too. It’s never a friendly match against France. I only hope we see two teams who want to play football, two teams who are proud to be playing, showing emotion and enthusiasm. The result will come from who has the better attitude of the two teams. That’s my opinion on that,” said the Italian national team manager ahead of the match with France.