Italy coach Antonio Conte is not paying much attention to the criticism directed at him and his squad after their hard-earned 2-1 win over Azerbaijan on Friday.

"This is a very important for us," Conte told a news conference this evening after conducting light training session at the National Stadium ahead of tomorrow's (Monday's) Euro 2016 Group H qualifier against Malta.

"We have embarked on a new journey and we have to think exclusively about working.

"Like a cyclist who has just started a stage, we need to pedal hard with our heads down without listening to the criticism."

Conte confirmed his intention to make some changes from the team that started the Azerbaijan game but refused to elaborate.

"There will be some changes from the Azerbaijan game," Conte said.

"But I'm not going to give you names and surnames... I think you are asking too much.

"This will be our second game in three days and there will be some new faces in the team."

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon praised his team's reaction after Azerbaijan had levelled matters with only 14 minutes remaining.

"After Azerbaijan made it 1-1, we feared the worst but we made a strong reaction," the Juventus keeper said.

"My teams are to be applauded not only for their approach and dedication in the game against Azerbaijan but also for their efforts in every training session.

"It was pleasing to see our reaction in the last 15 minutes of the Azerbaijan game.

"A divided team might have suffered a psychological decline but we hit back and immediately created two chances."

Asked if he expected Malta to play a defensive game like Azerbaijan tomorrow, Conte said that Malta played open football against Norway but he doesn't think they will do same against Italy.