Cesare Prandelli has praised his Italy players and expects Tuesday's trip to Ukraine to be a 'real match' not a friendly.

Italy have prepared well ahead of their encounter in Kiev, recording a 1-0 victory against Slovenia in Ljubljana.

They remain top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group with a six-point lead on the chasing pack.

"I have seen a motivated group. There is the desire to play," Prandelli said.

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Cesare Prandelli said in his post-match Press conference that “dominating the midfield was the key” as Italy gain in confidence.

“I saw a good game between two teams who tried to win it with good football,” he said of the 1-0 victory on Friday night.

“After the result we can say that we were a bit better than Slovenia, but nothing changes in my view of the side.”

The win puts the Azzurri six points clear at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C.

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The day after the victory in Slovenia, Cesare Prandelli notes his Italy project is progressing and Oriundi like Thiago Motta “are the future of the Azzurri.”

The 1-0 result in Ljubljana put them six points clear at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C.

“Things have been positive and I'm happy that right from the start we showed the players the fun of playing football,” said the Coach.

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Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli hit back at the critics after conquering Ljubljana. “When they call us a Serie B side, it just motivates us even more.”

The Azzurri earned a 1-0 victory in Slovenia that puts them six points clear at the top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group, as Serbia beat Northern Ireland 2-1.

“People said we were a Serie B side, but that just helps motivate us even more,” smiled the tactician.

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Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has promised to help Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

The 20-year-old was left out of the latest Italy squad after his sending off against Dynamo Kiev.

Prandelli has implemented a new ethical code, which all players have to respect.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi was also excluded following his ban for violent conduct after throwing an elbow at Shakhtar Donetsk full-back Darijo Srna.

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Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has confirmed that he will use a 4-3-1-2 formation for Friday night's Euro 2012 qualifier with Slovenia.

The Azzurri practiced the system throughout their training camp in Coverciano before boarding a plane bound for Ljubljana.

Before this morning's session, Prandelli spent half an hour explaining to the team the attitude that he would like to see on the pitch.

Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri will play as a trequartista with Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini reprising their partnership up front.

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Cesare Prandelli has defended his Italy team – on the eve of their Slovenia qualifier – from claims that they are a Serie B national side.

Despite a dynamic display in last month's 1-1 friendly with Germany, the Azzurri still have their critics after a disastrous 2010 World Cup.

"If some people consider our level to be Serie B then it means that they will soon have to take note of our promotion to Serie A," the tactician stated.

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Marcello Lippi believes Cesare Prandelli is “the right man” for Italy and comments on the crisis at Juventus.

The Coach won the 2006 World Cup and then returned for a second, unsuccessful, spell in South Africa.

“I think that regardless of how the World Cup in South Africa ended up, the Nazionale still needed to be restructured and a new generation brought in.

“I believe that Prandelli is the right man to lead the renewal of the Italy squad and begin that process. I can't think of anyone more suitable for the role.”

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