Italy ´motivated´ for Ukraine friendly

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has rung the changes ahead of his side’s friendly against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday.

Prandelli has made seven changes to the team, with only four players retaining their spots in the starting line-up from Italy’s 1-0 win over Slovenia in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday.The lucky quartet comprises defenders Christian Maggio and Giorgio Chiellini and midfielders Roberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo.Despite all the changes, Prandelli said his players are ready for the challenge and he expects his side to play to their best.”I have seen a motivated group. There is the desire to play,” Prandelli said. “We must erase the word friendly. I expect a real game. I want to see more running and penetration with respect to Friday. I expect the team to build from the back.”Prandelli declared he was delighted with the form of forward Giuseppe Rossi both for his club and in training, but was not prepared to comment extensively on striker Mario Balotelli’s latest indiscretion.Balotelli was caught throwing darts at youth players at Manchester City’s training ground on Sunday and when questioned why he was doing so, claimed he was ‘bored’.”I don’t know the details of the darts incident and I am not going to go into it a lot,” Prandelli said.”If he really said that he was bored, the next time he can call me and speak about other things