Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia believes coach Roberto Donadoni deserves more recognition for the way Italy are now playing.

The Azzurri comfortably beat Portugal 3-1 in Zurich last night with Amelia deputising in goal for the injured Gigi Buffon.

"I think we showed that we are an excellent group," he declared on Radio Radio TV. "We take on friendlies and qualification games with the same mentality and the same desire to get a result.

"The mental factor counts for a lot and I think that the Coach is responsible for getting us motivated.

"We couldn't have played that game in that way after our Euro 2008 qualification campaign otherwise."