Lippi: It was a training session
Wednesday 10 June, 2009
Marcello Lippi concedes the hard-fought 4-3 friendly win over New Zealand was “a good training session.”
The World Cup winners were trailing to the All-Blacks three times in this game in Pretoria, which acted as a warm-up for both in the Confederations Cup.
“It was a training session and this is what we needed tonight, which is why I left out most of the 'veterans,'” said the Coach.
Lippi had stated he already knew the starting XI against USA next Monday will not be this one, so he gave others the chance to make their mark.
Marco Amelia did himself no favours, as three howlers gave New Zealand their goals and the defending from set plays was dire.
“We made mistakes and paid for them, but then made up for that in the end,” added Lippi.
“There were good and bad things, which is normal. Errors are always worrying, obviously, but it was a good training session.”
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun10w.html