Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini believes that their performance in last night's 4-2 defeat to Brazil is proof that they can match the top sides in international football.
Despite losing by a two-goal margin, the Italians matched their South American opponents for large parts of the Confederations Cup game, and the Juventus centre-back feels that the performance bodes well for the future.
"I think that this Italy can face off against all the best sides in the world," Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.
"We can lose, but put Brazil under serious pressure and with a bit of luck could even have won.
"We needed this performance, as there were many young players and playing Brazil on their own turf is valuable experience. There were factors that could've changed the game, but three days from the Japan [victory] we saw the real Italy."
The result meant that Cesare Prandelli's men eventually qualified second in Group A.
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