ATTACK WITH FEILHABER, THEN DEFEND WITH CLARK:

Italy out for revenge against US at Confed Cup (Andrew Dampf, 6/14/09, AP)

Italy will be out for revenge against the Unites States on Monday in both teams' Confederations Cup opener.

Three years ago at the World Cup, a 1-1 draw with the Americans was the only blemish on the Azzurri's otherwise perfect run in Germany.

"This is the most important match," said Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who stepped down after the World Cup victory only to return last year. "We've got to beat the United States because if the first game goes well, then so will the following games. Whereas if it goes badly, it will be tougher for us to recover." [...]

Italy has never lost to the Americans in nine meetings.

The Azzurri feature the tournament's oldest squad, with an average age of 29.7. The Americans are the most youthful team, more than three years younger than Italy on average.

You obviously can't expect the US to win, but why not try?.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 14, 2009 8:29 AM