Prandelli aiming to revive Azzurri spirit

The great Roman general Julius Caesar once said: "We have not to fear anything, except fear itself." It was with more or less the same approach that another Caesar – Cesare Prandelli, Italy's new coach – accepted the post after the Azzurri's disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign. "Well, certainly it's a role where you are under heavy pressure," he told UEFA.com. "But we shouldn't concentrate on that, we should start initiating and creating a new team with a new spirit."

If the Italian national team seemed to have lost the affection of the fans after falling at the first hurdle under Marcello Lippi in South Africa. Prandelli has clear ideas about how to win them back. "We need to get the relationship going again," he explained. "We need to give something back to the people who come to the stadium, especially the ones who come to see us train, and we need to be generous to our supporters."

Italy began their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a battling 2-1 win in Estonia and then defeated the Faroe Islands 5-0 in Florence, where Prandelli had spent five seasons at the helm of ACF Fiorentina. "It was a wonderful evening because we managed to involve the people in the stadium and achieved our goal of creating a special atmosphere," said the 53-year-old of his return to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

"The players felt it, and we were all very satisfied. It was a strong emotion for me, as I saw a lot of people I know, and friends. Many of them came to welcome me. Everybody was involved, the whole stadium sang the anthem, and we started the match positively and were full of energy because of that."

Antonio Cassano, who was not included in the Azzurri's World Cup squad, scored in that game having played a crucial role in the comeback victory in Estonia with a goal and an assist. According to Prandelli the UC Sampdoria forward can become a real leader of the new-look Azzurri. "He has grown up a lot, above all thanks to his wife – he has got married and found a balance off the pitch." Prandelli is also eager to give a chance to Manchester City FC striker Mario Balotelli, another player known for having a difficult character.

The key, he said, was for such players to "give an answer on the pitch". He reasoned: "I think they have the quality, and to work with players who are supposed to be difficult is challenging. But I treat them in a professional way." The coach from Orzinuovi – nicknamed the 'Wizard of Orz' in Florence – was selected partly for his proven ability to work with younger players. "It's easier to do it in a club, as there you have the possibility of working with them week in, week out," said the one-time Juventus midfielder. "But it's very interesting to integrate young players into the national team and see them wear the Italy shirt for many years."

The old guard still have their place too, and Prandelli is awaiting the recovery from injury of his veteran goalkeeper to reclaim the captain's armband. "Gianluigi Buffon is special. Apart from his technical skills which he has shown the world, he is special because he wears the Italy shirt in a special way," Prandelli said. "He's able to deal with people in a very sensitive way and that's why he is the leader of our team." With the right blend of youth and experience, Prandelli hopes to make another famous sentence of Julius Caesar's his own: "Veni, vidi, vici" – I came, I saw, I conquered.