Prandelli: Defeat will make Italy stronger

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes last night's defeat to Russia will only make his team stronger ahead of the European Championship. The Azzurri lost 3-0 in Zurich in their last test before Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. "We have suffered a lot," Prandelli said. "We have made many mistakes and we hope that we have used them all tonight. "Russia were better than us physically, from an intensity and temperament point of view. "Perhaps losing in this manner can help us as we return to work in order to improve." Italy went into the game after a nightmare week. A match-fixing scandal disrupted their preparations, with Prandelli dropping Zenit St Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito from the squad after he was put under investigation. The team's friendly against Luxembourg in Parma was also cancelled on Tuesday because of an earthquake in northern Italy. "Right now we are a team that is suffering a lot," Prandelli said. On the pitch, Italy had only conceded two goals in qualifying but they showed worrying signs defensively against Russia. "It's not an issue of a given line but of the whole team," he said. "If you don't defend well as a team then you struggle." Italy defender...