Prandelli targeting Confederations Cup
Cesare Prandelli says he is "looking for a response" in Wednesday's friendly against Holland as Italy continue their preparations for the Confederations Cup later this year.
The Azzurri have lost each of their last five non-competitive games amid a general apathy towards them on the peninsula from both fans and players. However, the former Fiorentina coach spoke of their importance in preparing the team for what lies ahead.
"Up until now, the friendlies have been of great use to us despite the fact that results haven't been positive," he told a press conference. "They've allowed us to test a few things which may have been risky, but allowed us to experiment ahead of the Confederations Cup."
"We're working with that competition in mind. The plan will pretty much be along the same lines as the one which we worked on ahead of the European Championship. These games need to give me the responses I am looking for so that we are fully prepared for when we arrive in Brazil."
Prandelli also assessed the Netherlands and says they too have much to prove in the encounter and says his team must match the intensity of their opponents at the Amsterdam ArenA.
"Holland are a renewed side, a young one that already has an identity," he said. "They'll want to prove their worth."
"They'll work hard and won't lower their guard for 90 minutes as they want to win. We will have to do the same."
