[LaVecchiaSignora]

Azzurri Coach Roberto Donadoni has praised in-form Udinese hitman Antonio Di Natale and continues to encourage Antonio Cassano.

It has been a dream start to the campaign for Di Natale. The Neapolitan striker was the surprise hero for Italy against Ukraine with a match-winning brace and has kept that form up in Serie A.

After a winning goal against Juventus and a double against Reggina, the 29-year-old has become hot property in the peninsula, prompting rumours linking him with Milan.

“Di Natale has vital abilities and has earned his place in the side by demonstrating those,” Donadoni explained.

“Technically, he has more than your average player. I still don’t think we know his true value, all we can do is watch. He has all the ingredients and the right mentality to succeed in the Azzurri shirt.”

As to whether Totò should quit Udine for one of the nation’s giants, Donadoni stressed that it was important he plays at the top level.

“He isn’t in a Scudetto-chasing side, but at Udinese he can show his talent and maybe earn a place at a bigger club,” the ex-Milan midfielder continued.

“A player like Di Natale should be playing in the Champions League and I hope that he gets there with the Zebrette.”

Donadoni was again asked about the future of Sampdoria new boy Cassano, who is looking to re-establish himself in the national set-up after a period in the wilderness.

“Whether he returns to the national side depends almost entirely on him,” Donadoni explained.

“In the little he got to do in his debut agains Genoa last weekend he seemed to show the right attitude.

“He has such quality and if he can show that in training and consistently give his all on the pitch, the door is always open.”

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