AS Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi feels there is a cause for optimism in Italy's friendly defeat to Ivory Coast.
De Rossi led the Azzurri on Tuesday night in London.
"There's no need to worry more than a bit about an August friendly loss, as many Serie A sides lose to Slovakians at this time of the season," mused De Rossi.
The Azzurri have not won a single match in 2010 and are without a victory in seven. The last time they had such a poor streak was between 1958 and '59 when they registered three defeats and five draws, failing to qualify for the World Cup.
"It has been a horrible year. It always hurts to lose, even more so if you're coming off another series of setbacks. That's how the critics see it, so imagine how we feel.
"The results in South Africa were a whole other kettle of fish. This time it went badly against an Ivory Coast side that was physically in great condition and we did some good things. It's early to make a drama out of it.
"This is, after all, the dawn of a new era. It'll take two years to give a definitive judgment on Prandelli's work."
Need your AS Roma news fix? Click here for all Roma news, transfer rumours and gossip.