The former Fiorentina boss rang the changes for the friendly at West Ham's Upton Park as he looked to draw a line under the country's poor showing at the World Cup under predecessor Marcello Lippi.

Prandelli handed Manchester City target Mario Balotelli the chance to impress on his debut during the match in East London but he, along with fellow debutants Amauri, Salvatore Sirigu and defender Cristian Molinaro endured a frustrating evening against the African side, who won the match courtesy of a header from Kolo Toure just before the hour.

Prandelli put his side's poor showing down to a lack of fitness with the beginning of the Italian domestic season still over two weeks away and is confident that they will be firing on all cylinders by the time their Euro 2012 qualification begins in Estonia in September.

Prandelli said: "The Ivory Coast played well. Their defence was strong so we weren't able to get the ball through as we wanted to but I'm not worried.

"The players aren't in good enough condition yet. The Italian championship hasn't started yet so I'm sure we will be better when we start qualifying for the Euros because everyone will be fit then."

Prandelli cited a lack of ability to break through a physical Ivory Coast backline that included Manchester City captain Toure as a source of frustration tonight.

He continued: "We were looking to go through Antonio Cassano through the middle but we weren't able to, which caused us to go down the wings. That was disappointing."

Interim coach Francois Zahoui has been in charge of the Ivory Coast since the end of the World Cup, where the team was lead by former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Swede has been offered the chance of staying on as coach after he narrowly missed out on guiding the team through a tricky group containing Brazil and Portugal.

Eriksson is unlikely to stay on however, and has been linked with the vacant manager's job at Aston Villa.

Former Elephants midfielder Zahoui insists he does not want the job on a permanent basis though despite the encouraging result.

He said: "I am very proud to have beaten this Italy team. It was a very strong side and it was important for us to win.

"I work for the youth team and I am only in charge for this international game. "I am proud to work for the senior team but it is important to remember that I am in this position only until the federation decides what to do.

"The federation can choose who they want but I am very proud to be in charge today. Whoever continues is a matter for the federation to decide."