The Italian and United States soccer teams prepared on Tuesday (February 28) for a friendly match in the northern Italian town of Genoa on Wednesday.
U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann told journalists before training: "We feel privileged and honoured to play Italy tomorow night. That being said doesn't mean that we don't want to beat Italy. You know we are ambitious as well, we are here to compete and also to learn obviously so we are looking forward to an exciting game and hope that the stadium Read more

The Italian and United States soccer teams prepared on Tuesday (February 28) for a friendly match in the northern Italian town of Genoa on Wednesday.
U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann told journalists before training: "We feel privileged and honoured to play Italy tomorow night. That being said doesn't mean that we don't want to beat Italy. You know we are ambitious as well, we are here to compete and also to learn obviously so we are looking forward to an exciting game and hope that the stadium will be full and will be a good crowd and a good atmosphere."
Qualification from the Americas for the 2014 World Cup begin in June and Klinsmann told the news conference: "We have come here to take another step towards qualification for the World Cup in Brazil and to show ourselves and Italy that we have great qualities. It is a team that comes here to put itself on the same level as Italy. We have come here to play and not to defend. We have come here to play a great match. We have players from all over Europe who have great qualities."
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was at pains to point out that, in his view, Wednesday's game would not be that 'friendly'.
"For me this friendly is very important because we are trying to show everyone that friendly matches, when we are wearing the Italian shirt, are not really friendly" he said.
"These matches are useful, as far as I am concerned, to evaluate, for example, the two fowards (Angelo) Ogbonna and (Fabio) Borini and if they will be useful for Euro 2012" Prandelli said.
Prandelli earlier in the week warned Manchester City's Mario Balotelli that unless the striker stopped getting into disciplinary trouble he risked being left out of their Euro 2012 squad.
Making sure his side conduct themselves in the right manner has been a key element of Prandelli's tenure since taking over after the 2010 World Cup and he has continually omitted players who are serving club bans.
With forwards Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi facing a race to be fit for June's Euros, Prandelli's stance against Balotelli is all the more surprising given the 21-year-old would otherwise be the obvious choice for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
Roma's Fabio Borini has received a first call-up as Prandelli plans for group matches against holders Spain, Croatia and Ireland.
Midfielder Daniele De Rossi was dropped from Roma's squad on Sunday for arriving late for a team meeting, but has still been called up by Prandelli as his misdemeanour was deemed minor.
Prandelli also said he had "never thought" of stripping the captaincy from Gianluigi Buffon after the Juventus goalkeeper said he would never have owned up to Sulley Muntari's effort crossing the line in AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Juve on Saturday. Close