United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann still has bad memories of playing Italy.

As Germany coach at the 2006 World Cup, Klinsmann lost to the eventual-champion Italians in the semifinals.

Klinsmann says “losing that game was really hard to get over … you need to score first against Italy or else they’ll kill you.”

The former Germany great will get another chance when the Americans face Italy on Wednesday in a friendly.

The United States is on a three-match winning streak but this is the first time 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.