Aware of the pressure Gilardino has been under this season, Prandelli said: "I have had an extraordinary relationship with Gilardino because he is a boy who is very strong inside, he is a boy who only wants to help and grow. And then it is he who has the qualities, it is he that has the strength, it is he who has the talent to be found in the correct position.

"He is a goal scorer. For me, he will always be a boy who, if tomorrow he needs to go back, I will certainly always be available to him."