Pirlo gives Italy '7/10' after draw with Spain

Gdansk: Andrea Pirlo has rated Italy's performance in the 1-1 draw with Spain at Euro 2012 as a "seven" out of 10. The Azzurri went ahead thanks to Antonio Di Natale's strike on the hour mark, fresh off the substitutes' bench, but shortly after, 'false No.9' Cesc Fabregas equalised to salvage La Roja a point in Gdansk.

Speaking after the encounter, the Juventus playmaker did not expect Spain to take to the pitch without one of Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Negredo in attack, but took the positives out of their display.

"I was surprised by Spain. They didn't have a striker, but sometimes they play like this," Pirlo said after the match to Rai Sport. We played well. I would give us a seven [out of 10]. This match can give us a lot of confidence for our next games."

La Nazionale playmaker reveals he was surprised by Spain\'s decision not to field a recognised striker.

Pirlo then defended striking duo Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli, declaring: "They played well. One was trying to find space, the other one proved his talent."

The draw means Italy kick their European campaign off with a point, along with Spain.

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