Riccardo Montolivo urges Italy to “take the positives” from a defeat that played into Uruguay’s hands.

“There are regrets because we played well in both halves and Uruguay did well to score early on. That allowed them to do what they wanted, which was sit behind the ball,” he said of the 1-0 result in Rome.

Cesare Prandelli felt it was “absolutely an unfair result” after the Azzurri were beaten by Uruguay in Rome.

“It’s absolutely an unfair result, albeit against a very strong side, but I think we played a good game,” said the Coach of the 1-0 defeat.

It was an uphill struggle from the start, as Sebastian Fernandez scored in the opening three minutes.

Italy end 2011 with a 1-0 home defeat to Copa America holders Uruguay, as the Azzurri's unbeaten home run ends.

Mario Balotelli and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo thanked Italy’s President for reminding people “we are 100 per cent Italian.”

The Manchester City striker was born to Ghanaian parents in Palermo and adopted as a baby by the Balotelli family in Brescia.

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani feels that he and Mario Balotelli share similar characteristics on the field of play.

The two men will face off against each other tonight when the Manchester City forward will start in Italy’s international friendly against Uruguay.

Italian legend Dino Zoff always expected Gigi Buffon to reach and then surpass his 112 caps for the Azzurri.

The current Juventus custodian will draw level with the former Juventus ‘keeper this evening when Italy face Uruguay in Rome.

Simone Pepe has revealed his admiration for Mario Balotelli after playing and training alongside him with the Italian national team this past week.

Pepe was speaking of his new-found respect for the Manchester City striker’s abilities ahead of the Azzurri’s preparations for Tuesday’s friendly with Uruguay.

Italy will start with a front two of Mario Balotelli and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo in Tuesday’s international friendly against Uruguay.

Reports as early as last Thursday suggested that the duo would be tested against the South American outfit and boss Cesare Prandelli has confirmed they will be in the first XI.

Daniel Pablo Osvaldo is hoping to make an impact should he begin in Italy’s friendly with Uruguay on Tuesday.

The new Roma striker is being tipped to start in the game just a month after making his Azzurri debut against Northern Ireland.

“I hope to integrate myself well into a team that is doing really well,” said the summer arrival from Espanyol.