Cesare Prandelli was impressed with Italy’s 2-2 draw against Nigeria. “I’d love to see performances like this all the time.”
Cesare Prandelli was impressed with Italy’s 2-2 draw against Nigeria. “I’d love to see performances like this all the time.”
Giuseppe Rossi had given them the lead at Craven Cottage, his first goal since June 2011, but the Super Eagles turned it around until Emanuele Giaccherini’s equaliser. Click here to watch highlights of Italy-Nigeria.
“We had a great game, we played football and though the result is penalising, I’d love to see performances like this all the time,” the Coach told Rai Sport.
The experiment of playing Rossi with Mario Balotelli proved very promising, while Alessandro Diamanti came off the bench and hit the crossbar.
“Rossi and Balotelli combined many times. The absolutely terrible mistake we made was that when 1-0 up we tried to hold possession in sterile fashion and we should’ve looked for the second goal.
“We found more width, found Alino Diamanti between the lines. We also did well at the start with four or five passes in a row to get towards the goal.
“The first Nigerian goal was absolutely a foul, but we take home this good performance.”
This was the final Italy match of 2013 and Prandelli sees it as a positive year, despite ending it with four consecutive stalemates.
“We have many certainties, a few things to consider, which we’ll do in time. 2013 was very positive, as we had a good Confederations Cup and qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare.
“Of course with some results you wanted more, but these lads have done well.”