Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi felt Italy could have done better against England, claiming the team lacked self-belief.

The 35-year-old is one of the few remaining veterans in the Azzurri squad. On Tuesday, he started in the Wembley encounter against England.

However, Luciano Spalletti decided to haul him off in favor of his Nerazzurri teammate Alessandro Bastoni at the hour mark.

Italy suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of the Three Lions, leaving them in an uncomfortable spot in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.

Acerbi argues that the Italian national team lacked the mental aspect to clinch a positive result in London.

“Maybe we didn’t believe in ourselves enough to hurt a team like England. They have great players, but we could have done it,” said the former Lazio man in an interview with La Nazionale via FcInter1908.

“You can make mistakes, but you need more desire, more determination. In the first half, we moved quite well, even if we didn’t have much confidence in ourselves, and they did little apart from the penalty.

“We had to try to win and do something more because we had to possibility to do so. In the second half, we didn’t start very well. Then at 2-1, it wasn’t easy. We needed more attention and determination,

The Nerazzurri centre-back felt there were lessons for Italy to draw from their English counterparts.

“The English are younger and have great champions. But in the second half, they showed great humility by defending very well while we didn’t do so.

“When they bring malice and quality to the table while you fail to do the same, you will find yourself in great difficulty.

“We are good with the ball, even better than them. But their victory was well deserved. We still regret the attitude in the second half. Kane also went back to help.”

Inter Milan Veteran Francesco Acerbi Claims Italy Lacked The Right Attitude Against England

Acerbi also argues that Spalletti still needs time and insists that Italy’s fate is still in its own hands.

“Spalletti has led great teams in the past, he has been coaching at the highest level for many years and he is giving us strength.

“He tells us that we must believe in ourselves and play with the intensity that he wants. In London, he told us that he has little time and needs ready players. So we must be more prepared in our heads. We could have done much more.”

“After missing out on the last two World Cups, we absolutely have to secure qualification to Euro 2024.

“It’s not possible to fail and I don’t even want to think about it. We must win against North Macedonia and Ukraine. It’s all in our hands.”