Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes that the national side must continue to believe in themselves even if they are not deemed as favourites for EURO 2012.

Pirlo subtly hit back at critics who have dismissed the Azzurri's chances for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine by making a cheeky reference to his own situation last year when he was released by AC Milan: "At Milan they thought I was finished, but here I am."

Over the past year, he starred for a Juventus side that went the whole campaign unbeaten and won the Italian Serie A. He knows that at the age of 33, his time in international football could come to an end soon but for now he is happy to have been selected and has vowed to give his best in the national jersey.

He called on his team-mates to similarly focus on the present and ensure that they give a good showing in June.

"I don't know if I will continue my Azzurri career until the 2014 World Cup. We'll see if I am still useful and will still be called up," he told reporters at a national team press conference in Florence.

"Our objective is to go all the way in this competition. We are not among the favourites and we know that, but I am convinced Italy can finish in the top four.

"Spain are the reigning World and European Champions, so clearly they are the favourites. Then there are great sides like Holland, Germany and France."

He pointed out that despite finishing seventh in the 2010/11 season, the Juventus side under new manager Antonio Conte had the self-belief to go all the way and pip Milan to the Scudetto a year later. The Juve midfielder knows that if Italy can marry their potential with the same level of self-determination, Italy could yet end up with their first Euro win since 1968.

"Italy have great inner strength. This side resembles Juventus and can go far, as we have everything we need to go far.

"We enjoy playing our football together, have quality and hunger, so those are our strengths. We aim to reach at least the semi-finals, because we are Italy and we can do it.

He also knows that he cannot take his place in the starting XI for granted and believes that every player will need to do their best in order to impress Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.

"There are many strong players here and it's not always true that the one with the most touches during a game is the most important. In any case, I am happy to take my share of the responsibility.

"I have no problem changing position on the field, as I've always happily adapted both at club and international level.

"We're used to playing in various systems, so coach Prandelli will decide."

Italy have friendlies against Luxembourg and Russia before they start the tournament with a highly-anticipated Group C match against Spain on June 11.