Italy coach Roberto Mancini said he could see plenty of positives after the European champions' record-breaking 37-match unbeaten run was ended with Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Spain at San Siro in the Nations League semi-final.
The Spaniards progressed thanks to a double by Ferran Torres.
The Azzurri put on a spirited display despite having to play more than half of the match in 10 after Leonardo Bonucci was sent off for a second yellow card.
They hit the post twice with shots by Federico Bernardeschi and Enrico Chiesa and notched a late goal to set up an exciting finish with Chiesa going on a stunning run to lay on a tap-in for Lorenzo Pellegrini.
"It's a shame to lose like that, but this game will give us strength in spite of the final result and will help us to understand that this really is a great team," said Mancini.
"Sometimes, certain events can decide games; it could've been 1-1 at the end of the first half".
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