Italy fullback Luca Antonelli believes the Azzurri performed well during their 2-2 draw with Bulgaria on Saturday given the playing conditions and recent injuries that have struck the team.
Substitute Eder scored the equaliser five minutes from time in a game in which Italy were hit with yet more injuries, with Andrea Bertolacci having to be replaced and Matteo Darmian now set to miss the match against England and instead return home.
Despite this Antonelli applauded the players who have had to step in for their injured compatriots.
“Those who played in place of the injured players played a very good game” he told Rai after the match.
“We really wanted to grab the three points though Bulgaria played very well in defence.
“However we did well to level the score at the end of the game.”
Italy are now set to play England in a friendly on Tuesday evening at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.
