A sanguine Roberto Donadoni admitted that he was "hardly expecting flowers" in the wake of his side’s worst result in the history of the UEFA European Championship finals but he insisted that with "hard work" Italy could learn from the harsh lessons of their 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands and yet emerge from Group C smelling of roses.

Rising temperatures
While Oberwaltersorf bathed in sunshine for the first time since Italy’s arrival at their Austrian retreat, the temperatures in the packed press conference room reached stifling levels at Casa Azzurri, where vexed Italian journalists subjected the coach of the world champions to a demanding interrogation. Not one to get easily flustered, though, Donadoni was measured in his analysis of the night before. "It was not the most positive result last night but we need to put it into perspective," he said. "I was hardly expecting flowers from the press because the score looks bad but we created several chances ourselves. Unfortunately we also made some mistakes but we have two matches left in which we can put things right."

Shades of ‘94
Donadoni was in the Italy side that lost their opening match to the Republic of Ireland at the FIFA 1994 World Cup, but they bounced back from that setback to reach the final, and he is hoping his players have learned their lesson from Monday’s similarly chastening experience. "We got out of that situation in America in the only way you can – by working hard, having the desire to hit back and understanding the mistakes that you’ve made," he said. "We must do that again. Last night we conceded too many goals. One of them could have certainly have been avoided because weren’t quick enough in reacting to their counterattacks. But we had as many shots on goal as the Netherlands and the same possession and, you know, sometimes you have an off-day and things don’t go your way."

Positive impact
One of the few positives drawn from the defeat was the impact Fabio Grosso, Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano made as second-half substitutes and it is possible that there could be changes for Friday’s crunch match with Romania. "The players that came on in the second half played really well and I was impressed with their attitude," said Donadoni. "They made an immediate impact, creating chances straight away and they will certainly come under consideration for the next game. One match cannot wipe out everything we have achieved over the last two years. Remember we lost our first and drew our second qualifying match in reaching the EURO finals but turned it around. It was one of our worst ever defeats and we weren’t at our best, but now we must roll up our sleeves and right the situation in the next matches [against Romania and France]."

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni signed a new two-year contract on Wednesday, five days before the Azzurri open their UEFA EURO 2008 campaign against the Netherlands in Berne.

Agreement last month
Donadoni, who replaced Marcello Lippi as coach in summer 2006, announced last month that he had agreed an extension to his deal and a statement on the Italian Football Federation’s website confirmed he had now put pen to paper. "Roberto Donadoni today signed a contract for another two years, as [FIGC] president Giancarlo Abete had announced in the last few days," it said.

Italy may not be renowned for their adaptability, with slight variations of the 4-4-2 proving a winning formula for a number of years, yet Roberto Donadoni believes a new-found flexibility may give the current incumbents a crucial edge at UEFA EURO 2008™.

Good condition
Donadoni favoured a three-pronged attack for much of the qualifying campaign, the tried and tested system convincing him to name Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano in his final 23-man squad when many predicted they may not make it. The pair are in line to start tonight when the Azzurri face Belgium in Florence – the world champions’ last friendly before travelling to Austria for the finals – and they are keen to impress. "Those two are in good condition and this makes me happy," Donadoni explained. "We will try to let everyone play a little though."

Choices
With Luca Toni a shoo-in for the role at the point of the attacking arrow, that should mean a chance for Donadoni’s other wide options, Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi. "I have not decided anything yet but with a three-man offence I definitely see Del Piero on the left and Cassano on the right, even if Cassano can play on the opposite side too," said the coach, who added that the occasionally temperamental Real Madrid CF man has been a model of focus as the finals loom ever larger.

Flexibility
It is a compliment Donadoni believes can be extended to all the Italy squad, making them more pliant to change – a valuable commodity as they seek to add the European crown to the world one they claimed two years ago. "We will start with the attacking trident even if we only decide upon the actual lineup in training on Friday morning," the 44-year-old said. "What I like most, though, is the way the players are open to change, their versatility. I think that our ability to use several formations could be one of our strengths. We are testing different possibilities. A three-man defence, for example."

Mental test
A three-man defence would have been considered sacrilege in the days of Catenaccio, but Donadoni has his own way of doing things. Indeed, those hoping the starting XI against Belgium this evening will provide the usual insight as to who turns out in their UEFA EURO 2008™ opener against the Netherlands are set for disappointment. "It is too early to make any evaluations," he said, adding: "The test against Belgium will be important from a mental point of view and not a physical one, since after only five days of work we cannot ask too much." Come 9 June it will be a different story.