Italy v Mexico, 03 June 2010

Italy's experience in South Africa has not started very well. The Azzurri lost their first friendly match against a well prepared Mexico yesterday evening. The Italy team proved to be in behind in preparation compared with the Mexicans team that had already played six friendly matches and had almost one month of training. The Italians' only consolation was the goal by Leonardo Bonucci in the 89th minute off a corner kick. The coach Marcello Lippi brought in fresh players and changed the formation many times during the match but to no avail, Mexico was superior and Italy has just to learn and get over this bad start. As Lippi said,

"It's difficult to find something positive in this match, these are not the real players but I am sure the we' ll be ready for the first match against Paraguay on the 14th of June."

Mexico played some good football and they seem to be already ready for the World Cup. After a good performance against England at Wembley one week ago, they did the same against Italy yesterday.

The Mexicans are playing their best football in recent memory, and they will be a dangerous opponent for South Africa, Uruguay and France.