England won the game in Bern 2-1 to avenge their Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat to the Italians in June.

And Abate said the game certainly had a competitive edge.

"I think we played a good game, with the right spirit," he said.

"Against a national team like this it's never a friendly match. I think that with so many young players we can deploy different solutions and it's up to the coach find the right one."

New Roma striker Mattia Destro made his senior international debut in the match, and suggested the young side that head coach Cesare Prandelli fielded could be the future for Italy.

"I think we have very strong players," Destro said.

"Today was the first game we played together and unfortunately there wasn't the harmony of a team playing together for several years. But overall I think everybody played a good game."