Prandelli: Sky is the limit for Italy

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has praised his side’s mentality following a 2-0 victory against Ireland in their final Euro 2012 group match.

Goals from Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli saw the Azzurri finish runners-up to Spain in Group C on five points to progress to the quarter-finals.

And Prandelli believes that Italy were worthy winners on Monday and has not set limits for the team if his players continue to show the same winning mentality.

“We wanted this victory so badly and I think we deserved to win and progress,” he said.

“The most important thing was that tonight we understood that we have to put a lot of determination into our game. We can achieve anything with this heart.

“In the quarter-finals we will have to show the same attitude. More important than the situations that we will come across will be showing the same commitment and spirit of sacrifice.

“We will always try to play good football, but we will try to be more clinical in attack.”

Prandelli said reverting to a 4-4-2 formation from the 3-5-2 system they had employed in the opening two games was a key plank in the victory over Ireland.

“We have to try to understand many things but I was happy with the line of four, they did really well,” he said.

“We got our confidence back but also the balance this midfield gave us. We must interpret the next game as we did this one.

“The quality always shows itself during the game but if we don’t play with spirit and heart, it’s difficult to win games.”

Italy will play their quarter-final clash against the winner of Group D on Sunday, in Kiev.