Prandelli considers options

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli admits he might tinker with his starting line-up for Thursday's Euro 2012 Group C clash with Croatia.

The Azzurri kicked off their campaign with an encouraging 1-1 draw against tournament favourites and defending champions Spain on Sunday and victory over the Croats would go a long way to ensuring their passage into the quarter-finals. But the Italians will face a different challenge against the Balkan side, who are a much more physical team than Spain and do not possess the same quality of passing in midfield. Croatia began their tournament with a 3-1 success over Ireland and Prandelli admits he will look at the way in which they beat the Irish before deciding how to counteract their threat later this week. "Now I will look with great attention at Croatia and then we'll decide," he told reporters. "I will most of all look at who is the calmest, the fittest. I will understand what player is ready for this important game, which is decisive for the group." Mario Balotelli got the nod to start up front with Antonio Cassano against Spain but, despite sending out a positive message about his strike duo, the coach could well change things around in that department. "I was happy with them for their attitude," he added. "I was happy with the distance they kept from the central midfielders yes, but in certain occasions we needed to be deeper."