Italy determined to prove worth, says Prandelli
Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 by YAHOO Sport
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says his team are determined to bounce back from their shock 3-0 friendly defeat to Russia and prove they are better than that.
The 2006 world champions are on a run of three straight losses without scoring a single goal.
Against Russia in Zurich on Friday their defending was particularly haphazard and in truth they could have conceded a bucket load.
But Prandelli is sure that performance will prove no more than an unfortunate footnote to a Euro 2012 title tilt.
"After a defeat the players just want to play to show other qualities," said Prandelli.
"They want to show that they have the right determination to be contenders at the Euros.
"That's the spirit we have now, obviously we've analysed our play and we've discovered this team has a great sense of responsibility.
"Where we've proposed a change in system they haven't just shown their availability, they've been enthusiastic.
"This team could even change its tactical system during a game."
Since that humbling by Russia a lot of talk in Italy has centred around the possibility of switching from a back four to a back three.
It is something Italy tried during the latter part of the Russia game and something which worked very well for Italian champions Juventus when they switched formations mid-season.
The problem is that Italy are almost certain to be wthout Juve centre-back Andrea Barzagli meaning that if Prandelli does switch to a back three, he will have to select Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Italy's preparations have been interrupted by several injury worries with Chiellini missing the Russia friendly but Prandelli says his squad are ready to cover.
"All 23 need to feel ready because unfortunately as we have seen with what happened to Barzagli, they need to all be mentally ready, not just during the week but also during the games," added Prandelli.
If there is one saving grace for Italy in their recent troubles it is that they have only lost three friendlies and not any competitive matches.
But they will have a baptism of fire in this competition as they begin their Group C quest against world champions Spain in Gdansk on Sunday.
But Prandelli says that at least his side's performance against Russia will have prevented Spain from being able to prepare properly for his team.
"The positive thing is that we arrive without any type of mental preconditions, with great concentration and attention to detail," he said.
"The negative aspect is that we're playing Spain. The only advantage is that they won't have understood anything (from watching the Russia game)."
The other element playing on many people's minds is the fact that Italy is gripped by a domestic match-fixing scandal.
The last time that happened they went on to win the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
And before that, in 1982, Italy also won the World Cup just a couple of years after yet another match-fixing affair.
But that's not an omen Prandelli is comfortable with.
"I don't like this game, we wanted to arrive with a different ambiance but there's great spirit in the camp so we won't be discouraged."
Photos
More»
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Man Utd 4 - 2 Sheffield United
Thursday April 25 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea
Wednesday April 24 2024
Your Say