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Lippi confident of Italy defending World Cup title

By Super Admin

Cape Town, June 7(ANI): Italy coach Marcello Lippi is confident that his team can defend the World Cup title in South Africa to create history by being only the third team to achieve the feat, following Brazil in 1962 and Italy in 1938.

"Italy doesn't go to World Cup finals just to perform well, Italy will go to South Africa to win. During the last 80 years the World Cup has only been won twice in a row, there is evidence that it will be tough for anyone else to achieve that feat. We have the chance again though," The Mirror quoted Lippi, as saying.

"We didn't perform that well in our qualification for the tournament, but my players will have the chance to come together and prove we are capable of retaining the trophy. To achieve this we need to be psychologically prepared, have the technical skill, be positive and also have a bit of luck - why not?" he added.

Italy had won the 2006 World Cup in Germany to claim their fourth World Cup title.

They defeated France 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the final, after extra time had finished in a 1-1 draw.

The World Cup-winning coach also said that he dreams of a showdown with Fabio Capello's England team.

"It would be great to come up against Fabio Capello's England side at some stage of the tournament, I would absolutely love that," Lippi said.

Italy is pitted against New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay in Group F. (ANI)

Story first published: Thursday, August 24, 2017, 17:09 [IST]
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