Prandelli's mission is profound. He took the Italian job two years ago, after the Azzurri had returned from a woeful World Cup failure in South Africa. The squad needed new direction, and Prandelli was determined to change its spirit and change its style, from negativity to as close to the Beautiful Game as Italy is capable of performing.

He isn't there yet. The Italy we are watching is tactically innovative, but it has rogues and misfits that the coach tries to re-educate in the few short weeks he spends with players while they are away from their clubs. Watching him handle Mario Balotelli, the brooding, explosive, potentially brilliant 21-year-old striker, is a sight to see in itself.

Seeing how Prandelli tries to reform Balotelli is one thing. Seeing him trust and try to draw out the essence of Antonio Cassano, who comes from the streets of southern Italy, is another.

Then there is the conversion of Daniele De Rossi, the Roma midfielder, whom Prandelli surprised by selecting him to defend against Spain.

The idea was that De Rossi should step out of a three-man back line, as Franz Beckenbauer did for Germany in the 1970s. The concept is to turn defense into attack as soon the moment presents itself.

It is an art that De Rossi himself did not know he possessed, one of the arts that Prandelli seeks during a tournament that will define his management for as long as he holds the post.