PSG midfielder Marco Verratti admits Spain are a class above Italy after last night's U21 Euros final.
Spain won 4-2 in Jerusalem.
"It was an extremely difficult game, but we stepped on to the field with the belief we could do well and eager to give our all," the PSG midfielder told Rai Sport.
"We did everything we could, but Spain are a step ahead of us. They deserve all the praise, while we are slowly improving and hope to soon be at their level.
"I think there were individual errors, as tactically we played well and had scoring opportunities, but it's not easy to recover when you are 3-1 down, especially against Spain.
"That third goal really hit us hard, though we did try to get back into it, but the fourth finished us off."