But, after wins over Estonia and the Faroe Islands in their first two qualifiers for Euro 2012, the former Fiorentina boss has warned of tougher tests to come.

Goals from Alberto Gilardino, Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Cassano, Fabio Quagliarella and Andrea Pirlo sank the Faroes, the group minnows, at Prandelli's former Florence stomping ground of the Artemio Franchi stadium.

And the coach said: "We wanted to bring a smile and the enthusiasm back to people, we are working on that. It was strange to see the national team go out in Italian stadiums without being applauded.

"We are creating excitement with these victories. In the future we can play good football, with attacking intent. The philosophy of play is important and we had the right attitude, the desire to play the ball on the ground."

A trip to Northern Ireland - who opened their campaign with an impressive win in Slovenia - and a home clash to Serbia follow next month, and Prandelli said: "We expect the most important games of the year. We should be more of a team, more organised."

Gilardino's goal was his first for his country in 11 months and he told uefa.com: "It was very important for me to get that goal, especially as it broke the deadlock.

"I hadn't scored for ages so it was certainly a goal that I was desperate to score. To do so in Florence, in front of my own supporters, was a great feeling."

The 28-year-old had been left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 win in Tallinn, but said: "I don't regard the competition (for places) as a hardship at all. In fact I welcome it.

"It motivates me and if there are more centre-forwards to increase the competition then so much the better. The more great strikers there are the better, because I fancy my chances against them.

"I don't think that I have preferential treatment over anyone else just because I have worked with Prandelli before, because we have all been given the same chance to impress. I have a lot of experience now and I will strive to prove that every time Prandelli picks me."

Cassano is another who has struggled to cement a place and was not even taken to South Africa by former coach Marcello Lippi.

He served notice of his ability with a superb third goal from 20 yards last night, but midfielder Riccardo Montolivo defended his former boss over the Sampdoria man's summer inactivity.

"Lippi made his choices in that time, it is difficult to say whether the expedition in South Africa would have gone differently (with Cassano)," he told Rai Sport.

"The important thing is to put that behind us and move forward."