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.