Winner of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Mexico take on Italy in Group B of
the Confederations Cup. The Italians are there courtesy of finishing as
runners up at Euro 2012, the winner of which gains entry into the FIFA
tournament. But because Spain won Euro 2012 and are current World Cup
holders as well, the Euro 2012 entry spot went to Italy.
Italy will be hoping to start their campaign on a high with win a win in Group A, which has qualify sides and it will be difficult to make it to the next
round if they lost the first match. Both the side are unbeaten in their
last 5 matches with Italy winning 2 and drawing three while Mexico have
won just 1 of the last 5 matches. Both teams last meet back in 2010 in
the internations friendly match where Mexico came out as winners and
they will be hoping to achieve somthing like that again.
Jose de la Torre will no doubt be frustrated his talented squad were
unable to claim more than 2 points from their recent fixtures in World
Cup qualifying against Panama and Costa Rica, both of which resulted in
scoreless draws. The team will continue to look to Javier Hernandez and
the very talented midfield to provide the attack in hopes of recreating
their 1-2 friendly victory over Italy in 2010.
Mexico vs Italy
Football: 2013 Confederations Cup, Group A
Match date: 16 June 2013 - Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
Match date: 16 June 2013 - Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estadio do Maracana
Possible line-ups:
-Mexico: (Manager: Jose de la Torre) - Corona; Rodriguez, Moreno, Flores; Guardado, Salcido, Zavala, Herrera, Barrera; De Nigris, Hernandez.
-Italy: (Manager: Cesare Prandelli) - Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Abate; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo, Marchisio; Balotelli, El Shaarawy.
-Italy: (Manager: Cesare Prandelli) - Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Abate; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo, Marchisio; Balotelli, El Shaarawy.