Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is eager to see how Thiago Motta, Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco perform on their international debuts against Germany in Wednesday's friendly in Dortmund.

Inter Milan midfielder Motta, on-loan Juventus forward Matri and on-loan Parma winger Giovinco could force their way into the reckoning for Gli Azzurri, who lead their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying group with three wins.

Prandelli said: "It's always a fascinating game against Germany. I would make sure that once a year we play a friendly against such a strong rival.

In a week my life has changed so much. I have moved from Cagliari to Turin and from Turin to Coverciano, which is every player's dream. I hope I don't wake up and I continue to dream.
Alessandro Matri

"With respect to the team, we want to bring something new, incorporate new Italian players into the group. We want a quality midfield and Motta enters in our plans. He can play as a playmaker or in central midfield.

"As for Matri, we had monitored him even before he joined Juventus (on loan from Cagliari last month). He is a good finisher. Giovinco is good at playing between the two lines and he will help us."

Buffon boost, Matri delight
Italy are without Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli as well as AC Milan midfield pair Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, with all three out injured. The return to the national team of Gianluigi Buffon is also an important development for Prandelli. The Juventus goalkeeper has not featured for Italy since sustaining a back injury at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

"I am more than happy to see him here," Prandelli said. "He is a world champion and he has such an extraordinary enthusiasm to play for the national team."

Matri has credited Cagliari after earning his first Italy call-up. The 26-year-old, who scored two goals in Juve's 3-1 win over his former club on Saturday, said: "I want to thank Cagliari because for three and a half years, they gave me confidence and playing continuity even when I was not at my best. Moreover, they allowed me to join a great club like Juventus."

Matri joined Juventus on loan from Cagliari last month having scored 11 goals for the Sardinian outfit this season. "I never gave up hope that I would one day play for Italy, even when I played at Cagliari," Matri said.

"To be with the national team is a strange feeling because in a week my life has changed so much. I have moved from Cagliari to Turin and from Turin to Coverciano (Italy's headquarters), which is every player's dream. I hope I don't wake up and I continue to dream."