Koke admits there is “disappointment” not to have beaten Italy on Thursday but insists Spain “should be happy” for their 1-1 draw.
Spain dominated possession and attempted almost double the number of Italian passes but were denied victory late on by a penalty, and Koke confessed his country struggled to sufficiently respond to the Azzurri’s improvement once Vitolo scored five minutes before the hour.
“It was a tough game,” the midfielder said after the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
“We knew we had to put in a lot of intensity. We had a great first half, but in the second they were more direct. They got people forward and made it difficult for us. Even still, we could’ve scored a second.
“When we got the goal, they took a small step forward and pressed us. We should’ve had a bit more possession, but we should be happy for playing against Italy like we did. The disappointment isn’t winning.
“The referee decided it was a penalty because the linesman consulted with him, so we have to accept it.”