Gonzalo Quesada expects his Italy team to be rusty when they take on his home nation Argentina in the Azzurri's opening November test match on Saturday, hoping to end a positive year on a high.
In Udine, Italy will take to the field together for the first time since a summertime win over Japan for the first of three tests this month including a daunting clash with New Zealand.
Quesada has been in charge of Italy since January and guided the traditional minnows to their best-ever Six Nations campaign, with victories over Scotland and Wales and a thrilling draw with France which would have been another win but for a late penalty which struck the post.
Italy are being taken increasingly seriously as a rugby union nation, even if their infrastructure, level of investment and club scene is dwarfed by the traditional powerhouses.
But Quesada warned that Italy have a fight on their hands against Argentina, who finished third in the Rugby Championship and were battling for the title right until their final day hammering by tournament winners South Africa in late September.
"There will be times when we get things right and others where you'll see that we haven't played together for a long time," Quesada told reporters on Thursday.
"I have a lot of faith in the group and their ability to compensate for any lacking spontaneity with defence, footwork and desire to fight.
"We haven't played since 21 July, whereas they have only just finished their tournament. I'm not worried that they'll be more match fit than us, it's just the reality."
RETURNING ALLAN BOOST
Quesada has been given a boost by the return of Tommaso Allan, Italy's all-time top scorer in the Six Nations, returning to international duty for Italy after an eight-month absence.
Perpignan fly-half Allan hasn't played for Italy since his February announcement that he would put his international career on hold to prioritise spending time with his family.
But he returns as a replacement for Saturday's clash with Argentina, with further matches against Georgia and the All Blacks later this month.
Allan missed all four wins Italy have earned under Quesada, making the last of his 80 Italy appearances during the 27-24 home defeat by England which kicked off their most recent Six Nations campaign.
His comeback further bolsters a lineup featuring a clutch of foreign-born players like Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane but dominated by young locally-developed talent.
Those include the likes of Toulon fly-half Paolo Garbisi and Tommaso Menoncello, who was voted the best player at the last Six Nations.
"I'm really happy with what I've seen on the field. I'm not expecting a perfect performance and I expect it to be a very even match," added Quesada.
"The boys that are playing today are those who have been developed over the last 10-15 years... I hope that we continue to grow with players born or developed in Italy."