Federico Dimarco is concerned that Italy has conceded six goals from set plays in a row, and he's warning that they need to stop making the same mistakes.

Both teams had already secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, which will be held in March, but this was a head-to-head for top seed status in the draw.

Even if they'd lost by just one goal, the Nazionale would've still won the group. But they lost 3-1 and fell behind on the overall goal difference.

“We played very well and created many chances, but a defeat is a defeat. We know that we lost against a strong opponent that always played at the highest levels, so we will learn from this too,” Dimarco told RAI Sport.

“We got a little stretched out of shape in the first 30 minutes, but after Cambiaso’s goal for 2-1 we got reorganised and I think largely controlled the game from then on. It’s just a pity about that second Adrien Rabiot goal, these are the details that make the difference.”

The stats speak for themselves. Italy has conceded six goals in the last six games, including three tonight at San Siro in a 3-1 defeat to France. All of these goals came from corners and free kicks.

“These are things we certainly need to improve, because a team like ours cannot keep conceding so many goals from set plays.”

Italy didn't have much of an attacking game plan tonight. Mateo Retegui didn't get much of a chance to shine, and Nicolò Barella had a tough time adjusting to the new trequartista role.

“Their three midfielders were going man for man with ours, so we struggled to find the right through ball. We weren’t technically sharp enough with our passing either, it’s a pity,” added Dimarco.

Given how Italy struggled at EURO 2024, it's impressive that they've qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with a game to spare and only lost out to France on goal difference.

“France are a strong team and after the Euros we started building a whole new era. There are many new players in the side and I think the overall balance of the Nations League is positive for Italy. We must carry on like this and learn from this defeat,” concluded Dimarco.