Italy draws with France: Bastoni, Mancini and Donnarumma underline the team's growth

Pride and, finally, belief in one's own abilities. It's a transformed Italy that emerges from the draw with France at the Stade de France in Saint Denis. The best summary comes from Alessandro Bastoni, hero of the evening, who thanks to the goal redeems the criticisms leveled at him in the past: "I have never lost confidence in myself - he explains - I don't let two or three episodes ruin my career of over 300 games. You always have to get back up". Then the analysis of the match: "They had more possession at the start, but we had the clearer opportunities. Tonight's match is not a point of arrival but of awareness: if we did it with France we can do it with anyone".

Concept reiterated by Roberto Mancini: "We knew it would be a tough match, especially at the beginning, but we were very good. I wanted it to be another step in improving our journey", explains the Italian coach. "The boys - he reiterates - tried to play even though it wasn't that simple. Italy did everything as a team, defended as a team, attacked as a team. In short, it was a very positive evening". "It's a journey in which there will be good moments and others to suffer.

Very positive tonight, against one of the best teams in the world - he continues - We must try to continue. Let's think about the next one which won't be easy on Monday. We are improving in terms of play, as a real team."

"With this mentality we can compete with everyone", echoes Gigio Donnarumma who was the protagonist of a series of decisive saves. Against teams like France you have to know how to suffer, and we did it in the right way and when we had to play, we showed that we are strong and can compete with everyone. The goal we scored sums up our mentality."

Zinedine Zidane chews a little bitterly: "I said well done to my boys. I don't know if the result is right or not, football says this - explains the Les Bleus coach - When you have certain opportunities, you have to score. Italy defended well, made their counterattacks and could have scored. Italy is like this: they can play badly sometimes, then they beat Turkey 4-1 and play their game like tonight."