Stakes high for Italy, says Cesare Prandelli

The pressure is on Italy to perform in their World Cup qualifier away to Armenia, coach Cesare Prandelli suggested on Thursday on the eve of the Group B tie in Yerevan.

"I am waiting to see an Italy side alive to the fact that the stakes are high," said Prandelli.

"We have to play at a high rhythm against Armenia in order to exploit our qualities."

The Italians have four points from two matches after being held to a 2-2 stalemate by Bulgaria in Sofia in their opening qualifier before a laboured 2-0 win over minnows Malta.

After Armenia the Euro 2012 beaten finalists return to Milan next Tuesday to face a Denmark team that drew 0-0 against the Czech Republic.

"I'm sure we won't make the same mistakes as we did in September, but against Armenia we have to have commitment, because it will be a hard, physical encounter," Prandelli said earlier this week.