Cesare Prandelli is set to hand 19-year-old Inter Milan star Mario Balotelli his Italy debut when Azzurri take on with Côte d'Ivoire in a friendly in London.

It will be Prandelli's first game as coach since taking over from Marcello Lippi after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, where Italy crashed out in the group stages.

"The idea of starting with Balotelli is that I want to use all the attacking potential at my disposal," said Prandelli on the Italian Football Federation's official website. "I saw (in training) he was immediately eager to join the team. He knows that this is the beginning of a long journey."

Balotelli looks likely to line up alongside Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano against the Ivorians, who also failed to make it to the knock-out stages in South Africa.

But while they came up against Brazil and Portugal in the first round, losing to the South Americans after a goalless draw with the Portuguese, Italy could only draw with New Zealand before losing to Slovakia to finish rock bottom of their group.

"They are strong team and tidy," added Prandelli. "It will be a good test. The players know this is important, because soon we will being playing games that matter."

I saw (in training) he was immediately eager to join the team. He knows that this is the beginning of a long journey.
Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach

Brazil-born forward Amauri could also make his debut for Italy in the match. Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi will captain a youthful Italy side, but he acknowledges he is unlikely to hold onto the armband when senior players return.

"I feel a special responsibility to be the captain, because, as at Roma, I have tried to put the young group at ease," said De Rossi. "The armband will go, when the other players like (Gianluigi) Buffon, (Andrea) Pirlo and (Gianluca) Zambrotta, who have more appearances than me, return."

De Rossi also claimed there was no rift between himself and former Roma team-mate Cassano. "With Cassano I had some problems but now everything is okay," he added. "I accept and respect all my team-mates without hesitation. Cassano is the most talented of players.

"Mario (also) impressed me with his footballing quality. The whole group is doing well."

Côte d'Ivoire will also be under the leadership of a new coach, with Francois Zahoui now in charge, replacing former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was in the hotseat during the FIFA World Cup.