Italy coach Antonio Conte has praised his team and claimed they were on the right path following their 2-0 win against Norway.
Conte hails Italy's progress
Gli Azzurri produced a solid performance in their Euro 2016 qualifying Group H opener in Oslo on Tuesday. Goals from Simone Zaza and Leonardo Bonucci gave Italy their second victory under Conte and their first on Norwegian soil since 1937.
"I am extremely pleased," Conte said. "In nine days we have managed to achieve truly important things. Of course, we must improve and, especially, continue to get to know each other."
He added, on Italian football federation website www.figc.it: "It wasn't an easy task to come here and get three points. The national team had not won in Norway in a long time. I really don't think it will be easy for any (Group H) rival to win here."
Conte has made sweeping changes since taking over from Cesare Prandelli following Italy's failed World Cup campaign in Brazil. He warns that the team will take time to gel but even so was pleased with what he has seen so far.
Conte added: "I don't think [Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi] Buffon had to make many saves while we created a lot of goalscoring opportunities.
"Of course there is room for improvement because we have only trained together for eight days. I believe we have done a good job. I am very happy to see the determination in these players, who are eager to improve and do better.
"There were seven new players with respect to the team that played at the World Cup, all of whom are 23 years of age and we must believe in them."
One of those players is Sassuolo striker Zaza, who made his senior debut in last week's 2-0 triumph over Holland in an international friendly. Zaza, the first Sassuolo player to have received a call-up to the national team, contributed another impressive display against Norway. The 23-year-old striker scored his first goal with Gli Azzurri on Tuesday.
"I've experienced a dream week," Zaza said. "My aim now is to keep my place in this team and to continue to do well."
Zaza is expected to feature in Italy's next qualifier against Azerbaijan in Palermo on 10 October. However, it remains to be seen if Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will return to the Azzurri squad.
Balotelli, who was suspended for the game at Norway, was omitted by Conte for the previous clash against the Netherlands. Conte sent another message, widely interpreted in the Italian media as a message to Balotelli, after Tuesday's win.
He said, according to Gazzetta dello Sport: "I need people that are hungry, not people that have fame. We are not turning back. I need people that think and play for the team."
FIFA.com
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