Cesare Prandelli's men went ahead thanks to Antonio Di Natale's strike on the hour-mark, before Cesc Fabregas equalised to salvage a point for the reigning champions.

Speaking after the encounter, Pirlo did not expect Spain to line-up without one of Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Negredo in attack, but took the positives out of their display.

"I was surprised by Spain. They didn't have a striker, but sometimes they play like this," Pirlo told Rai Sport.

"We played well. I would give us a seven (out of 10). This match can give us a lot of confidence for our next games."

Pirlo defended striking duo Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli, saying: "They played well. One was trying to find space, the other one proved his talent."