Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes that his team deserved a draw in their final Confederations Cup group stage match against Brazil.

The Azzurri went down 4-2 in Salvador to finish as runners-up in Group A.

After losing Ignazio Abate and Riccardo Montolivo through injury in the first half, Prandelli's men found themselves 3-1 down with 24 minutes left to play.

However, Giorgio Chiellini scored to get his team back in the game in the 71st minute before Christian Maggio saw a header come back off the crossbar.

Prandelli said that he was "very satisfied" with the performance despite Fred's 88th-minute goal wrapping up a 4-2 victory for the Selecao.

"We had a great performance in the second half and deserved an equaliser, but against great players it takes nothing for them to punish you," the 55-year-old told Rai Sport.

"I am very satisfied, as we played the second half with great character. The reaction was excellent, we attacked the space and on 3-2 we could've drawn level."

Italy could face Spain in the semi-finals.

Written by
Michael Penkman