Coach Roberto Donadoni could find nothing "to complain about" after Italy beat Portugal 3-1 at Zurich's Letzigrund, the venue for two of their UEFA EURO 2008™ group matches.

Donadoni delight
"Usually I'm a very demanding person but after this game I can only be happy," said Donadoni. "I really can't find anything to complain about. The team played great, responding perfectly to what was a difficult challenge. I'm always telling them that friendlies are very important and the players got my message."

Goal glut
Italy took the lead just before the interval as Fabio Grosso's low cross from the left allowed Luca Toni to slide in from close range. The fluent Azzurri stepped it up in the second half, adding a second when Andrea Pirlo's shot deflected off Fabio Cannavaro and a third with a Fabio Quagliarella volley after Ricardo Quaresma had netted for Luiz Felipe Scolari's team.

Contract question
Raffaele Palladino also hit the bar while Antonio Di Natale was twice denied by Ricardo saves, suggesting that Donadoni's charges are on the right track. "Once again this squad proved to be very united and gave a fine performance," said the former AC Milan midfielder, whose contract with the Italian Football Federation expires after UEFA EURO 2008™. "The contract is the last thing on my mind right now."

'Fresh motivation'
"I'm sure they will come to an agreement," said captain Cannavaro, whose goal was only his second in 114 internationals. "Donadoni came in to replace a coach who had won the [FIFA] World Cup and he has given fresh motivation to every player. We are still playing with a good fighting spirit. The coach knows how much we respect and support him."

Italian pride
Quagliarella, who scored 40 seconds after coming on as a substitute, also praised the Italy coach. "I can only thank Donadoni for the faith he has always shown in me," the Udinese Calcio forward said. "He has done a great job for this side and deserves to be kept on. We have learned from leaders like Cannavaro that we must always give our very best, even in friendlies. We represent Italy and never want to embarrass our country."