Fabio Capello has jumped to the defence of Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.

Capello is close to Donadoni thanks to their days together at AC Milan and he declared: "We have never seen Donadoni play with his best formation.

"He has lost many important players. For me, he is working well with the material he has."

Asked about Donadoni's gruff approach to the media, Capello added: "The journalists can't play on the field. Smiles do not win you games."