Italy have started their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with wins against Faroe Islands and Estonia but coach Prandelli feels that the team is still far from qualifying and shall not be an easy task as it seems.

"First of all we have to qualify for the finals and if we think that’ll be easy then we’re very much mistaken. To achieve that goal we’ll have to show both quality and character. Once we’ve qualified we’ll have time to think about the final tournament, but we need to completely focus on the obstacles immediately ahead – the rest will follow in due course," said Prandelli to fifa.com.

"We want to narrow the gap with the top teams, but it’s not easy. I think that the key is to try and play quality football, football with imagination. In my view that’s the path we need to follow. When you aim to keep possession of the ball and you play to win the game, that’s when the victories really start to come your way.

"The rebuilding work doesn’t start with the senior national side alone though. We have to put in the work right from the bottom, with the kids. I’m convinced that at the moment the right steps are being taken, but it’s a process which will take time and requires patience."