Giorgio Chiellini has urged Italy to make their performance against England their "starting point" as they look to improve on recent results.
An experimental Azzurri were on top for the first hour of their 1-1 draw with Roy Hodgson's men in Turin, with a goal from Andros Townsend cancelling out Graziano Pelle's earlier header to rescue a draw for the visitors.
Wednesday's result followed a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria in Euro 2016 qualifying which leaves Antonio Conte's men two points behind Croatia at the top of Group H, and Chiellini believes they need to build from now until their meeting with the group leaders in June.
"This match in Turin, and at this stage, should be a starting point for us," he told reporters. "Every little thing is emphasised and this is not good. In any controversy there are pros and cons: we have to grow from this point of view.
"We have shown that with work and sacrifice you can make great games. We must take into account that England has a lot of young players who have been playing in the Premier League for a long time, while young Italians find it hard to play in Serie A.
"Also, our youngsters will grow and they will give us a hand to lift Italian football."
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