Conte not blaming players despite loss to Republic of Ireland

Antonio Conte said he had no cause for complaint after seeing his Italy side defeated 1-0 by Republic of Ireland in their final Group E match on Wednesday.

Conte made eight changes from the side that beat Sweden as Italy were already confirmed as group winners going into the final game.

Despite some good chances, including substitute Lorenzo Insigne hitting the post, they were beaten when Robbie Brady headed home a Wes Hoolahan cross on 85 minutes.

The second-string Azzurri side did not come close to the standards set in Italy’s group opener when they beat Belgium 2-0, but Conte said he was satisfied with the match.

“In all honesty, I have little to complain about,” Conte told Rai Sport in quotes reported by Football Italia. “It was a very tough, physical game played on a turf at the limits.

“I got the response I was looking for. It’s a shame about the third result, especially when we thought we had it in hand. Everyone got a run-out and gave a positive response.”

He added: “I have nothing to reproach my players for.”

Conte said he did not think Italy had deserved to lose the game and that “the draw would have been a fairer outcome given the chances that were produced.”

However, he added: “I have to congratulate them because they put a lot into the game. They went for it. Congratulations to the Republic of Ireland because they really wanted to go through and they were rewarded for that.”

Italy face Spain in the round of 16 in a re-run of the Euro 2012 final, when Vicente del Bosque’s La Roja ran out 4-0 winners.

Asked if Italy are now on Spain’s level, Conte replied: “I don’t know. You are all so good at judging, so you tell me.”