Coach Antonio Conte has played down Italy's unflattering 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Malta in Florence tonight, insisting that the result is all that mattered.
Graziano Pelle struck a 69th-minute winner as the Azzurri moved level with Croatia - who drew 0-0 away to Azerbaijan - at the summit of Group H.
"No-one gives you anything here [in international football]," Conte told Rai Sport. "Playing against Azerbaijan and Malta is tough, as experienced by Croatia today.
"Everywhere football is evolving and there is no such thing as a team you just walk over.
"The only thing that mattered was to win and unfortunately when you do not make the most of all your chances, the result remains uncertain."
Conte's men, who registered 13 shots against the 160th-ranked Malta, 144 places below Italy, host Bulgaria on Sunday.
