The Azzurri, still recovering from a dismal World Cup campaign in South Africa where they suffered a first-round exit, could not find a way past a resilient Northern Ireland side in the Group C game.

They still top the group though with seven points after winning their opening two matches at the expense of Estonia and the Faroe Islands.

"When you wear this jersey, your eye of the tiger style strength has to come naturally and there's no need to fire it up," Prandelli was quoted as saying by Italian media.

"I am convinced we will find that animal instinct within us soon.

"I don't know if my attacking Italy is revolutionary, but that is the way I read football. If anything, I want my Italy to be even more attacking.”

Prandelli left Fiorentina to take over at Italy following the post-World Cup departure of Marcello Lippi, who steered the team to the last of their four titles in 2006.

Italy next face Serbia, who could only collect four points from three games, on Tuesday.