Inter Milan wingback Federico Dimarco was a rare shining light for Italy in Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 home loss to France.
After the game, he spoke to RAI, as reported by FCInterNews, sharing his view of the Azzurri’s performance at Giuseppe Meazza.
Despite entering proceedings in a far better mood than Les Bleus, Luciano Spalletti’s side slumped to a disastrous defeat.
France repaid Italy the favor for a 3-1 home reverse in September’s first leg in an ‘eye for an eye’ victory.
Italy’s woeful showing was incomprehensible, especially considering their fantastic UEFA Nations League form this autumn.
Indeed, Spalletti’s charges came into the game on a five-game unbeaten run.
Fresh off a 1-0 triumph at Belgium, they only needed to avoid a multi-goal margin defeat to secure a top-table finish.
However, Didier Deschamps’ team ran riot at Inter’s home venue, dethroning the Italians in the last Group A2 fixture.
Nonetheless, Italy will resume their Nations League campaign in March.
Inter Milan Wingback Federico Dimarco Lauds Italy Performance In France Defeat
Despite the loss, Federico Dimarco insists Italy fared well.
“I think we played a great match, creating plenty of chances,” he said.
“We lost against a strong national team that proved to be at a high level. We’ll learn from this defeat.
“In the first half-hour, we stretched out a bit, and they caught us off guard.
“After their goal, we regrouped and reorganized. From the start of the second half, it was one-way traffic, but Rabiot’s goal really broke us.”
Italy conceded all three goals from set-piece plays. Dimarco admits that’s the area where they must improve.
“We have to improve because a team like ours shouldn’t be conceding so many of them,” he added.
“Their three midfielders marked us man-to-man, and we weren’t technically clean, which makes the difference at this level.
“It’s a shame.
“They’re strong. Since the Euros, we’ve been building a new path, working hard.
“Many young players have joined the national team.
“The balance is positive, and we must keep working as we are, learning from this defeat as well.”