Staying put: Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni insists he won't leave his job despite the poor results

Robbie Keane did defend the veteran Italian, who said last night that he will ‘clarify’ all aspects of the campaign when he meets the media in Poznan today before the return flight to Dublin.

The Ireland skipper said: ‘We have played that way for four years under Trapattoni and it would have been wrong to go into a  tournament and change it.’

Meanwhile, Italy striker Mario Balotelli opened his Euro 2012 account with a wonder goal and manager Prandelli said he is ready to take the tournament by storm.

The Manchester City striker had to be restrained by team-mates as he celebrated his last-minute goal which clinched Italy’s place in the quarter-finals, following Antonio Cassano’s first-half opener.

And Prandelli, who Balotelli appeared ready to target as his mouth was clamped shut by a team-mate, backed the controversial star to really light up the finals now.

The Italy boss said: ‘Mario started this competition when we all started but those first 20 minutes tonight were important for him.

‘When there are a lot of expectations around a footballer you need to deal with it and remember that you have a whole squad around you who can help. He did that tonight.’

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