FORTALEZA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said his team had proved they were now on a par with Spain after a 7-6 penalty shootout loss to the world champions here on Thursday.
The Confederations Cup semifinal defeat came almost a year after Spain routed the Azzurri 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final.
"It is clear that there is no longer a gap between the teams," Prandelli said after the match. "I am proud of my players. Today we showed Italy's soul.
"We haven't always been able to play this way and it's important now that we maintain this form. We will leave the tournament knowing that we can have great results in the future."
Italy will Sunday play off for third place against Uruguay in a 1pm kickoff in Salvador, like Fortaleza a tropical city in Brazil's northeast.
Prandelli criticized the tournament's fixturing, saying his team would not have enough time to recover.
"I think the schedule needs to be revised," Prandelli said. "I don't even know if we are going to train before the match against Uruguay. We have a day less to prepare and then a long trip ahead."