Bradley relishes Italy test

By DANIELLA MATAR

Associated Press

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:25 a.m. ET Feb. 27, 2012

MILAN (AP) -Midfielder Michael Bradley knows from experience just how tough of a test the United States is in for when it takes on Italy in a friendly on Wednesday.

But that's exactly what the Americans are looking for ahead of the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in June.

"It will be a very difficult game for us," said Bradley, who plays in Italy with Chievo Verona. "Italy has a squad that's full of champions and for us it will be a good test."

The U.S. doesn't seem interested in getting easy victories to boost the players' confidence ahead of their opening qualifier against Antigua and Barbuda, having scheduled a series of difficult games instead that will provide a more realistic picture of their qualities. After Italy, the Americans will host Scotland and Brazil in May.

But while the U.S. may be short on individual stars compared to Italy, Bradley said the team will rely more on a collective effort.

"We are a real team. Every player plays for his teammates and we have a strong mentality," he said. "That helps us forward in difficult times."

The United States is on a three-match winning streak but this is the first time coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be able to call on his top players since November's 3-2 victory over Slovenia. It defeated Venezuela and Panama while playing with a backup squad.

However, it will be without Landon Donovan, who was forced to withdraw Sunday because of an illness and will miss the chance to play together with Clint Dempsey for the first time since Klinsmann was hired as coach last summer.

Jermaine Jones also had to pull out because of a strained right calf. The pair have been replaced in the squad by Sasha Kljestan and Brek Shea for the game in Genoa.

Klinsmann has had a mixed start as U.S. coach with four wins, four losses and a draw. But Bradley believes the players can take huge leaps forward under the German.

"He was a great footballer, he played for Inter Milan, he won the World Cup, and now he's looking to transfer that winning mentality to our team," Bradley said.

Italy will nevertheless be expected to win, although coach Cesare Prandelli is likely to experiment somewhat with his lineup.

Top forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano are both still out with long-term injuries and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been left out of the squad because of his hot temper and unpredictability.

Pablo Osvaldo was also overlooked after he was red carded in Sunday's 4-1 loss at Atalanta for kicking out at Luca Cigarini in an off-the-ball incident.

Prandelli introduced a code of ethics when he took over the Italy squad after the 2010 World Cup, and said anyone who fails to live up to those standards will be left out his squad for this summer's European Championship.

"Players know that by acting this way they're putting a call-up for the Euros at risk," Prandelli said. "It's time to stop with these things, kicking out in reaction and hitting. It's a sign of weakness. Anyone who risks leaving the team down to 10 players at the Euros cannot be in the national team.

"I haven't talked to Osvaldo and Balotelli, they know my number. I'm very disappointed they haven't called. And so I'm waiting for a call."

Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale - who scored his 18th league goal of the season on Sunday - could be chosen to spearhead the attack against the Americans.

"He's found an extraordinary consistency," Prandelli said. "Now I need to try to see how he can be integrated into this group."

Roma striker Fabio Borini has been included in the Italy squad for the first time.

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