Italy coach Roberto Donadoni insists they deserved something from last night's 1-0 defeat to Spain.

A superb volley late on from Valencia's David Villa won the game for Spain and Donadoni said afterwards: "We were in the game and had some great chances, so did they, but we did not deserve to lose.

"We accept the result and there was little we could do about Villa's goal, just stand and applaud such a moment of technique.

"Obviously when you make six substitutions in a game it affects the performance, but it was important to see how some players worked from the start."

Donadoni has been at the centre of controversy this week as he refused to sign a new contract that would see his job hinge on a successful Euro 2008.

"I do my work with passion and great effort, just like my players and my staff. The rest is all talk."