How to counter the Italian Opening?

Hi everyone!
I’d like to ask for your experience on how to counter the Italian Opening. If you have any strategies, tips, or exercises to effectively deal with this opening, please share!
I find the Italian Opening very popular and it puts a lot of pressure early in the game, so I want to learn effective ways to counter it.
Looking forward to your insights and discussions so we can all improve!
Thanks a lot, guys!

Basically the plans are the same for white and black: c3/c6, Bg5/Bg4, Be6/Be3... I'm sure sometimes white misplays and loses a move and it's like colours reversed. There's no particular idea like opening a file or a pawn break that black should be looking to do, other than the obvious d-pawn which is a central question for both players.

When I look at the statistics I'm doubtful over whether white should be playing the Italian at all, the statistics for the Ruy Lopez for example are far better, this includes adjusting for rating difference between opponents. I think it's this symmetry and lack of convincing plans that cause the Italian difficulty.

You can't 'counter' the Italian. There's a reason it's used by various Super GM's. Your best choice is to find a good book, guide or course that is written/created by a strong player, that explains the ideas, themes and strategies that both sides are trying to aim for (or to prevent). This is directly aligned with modern opening theory though--this isn't something absurd like "How to counter the Englund Gambit." There really is no sidestep or workaround to studying theory--some people refuse to do this and thus don't improve. But you have to combine this with studying tactics, endgames and positional themes as well.

Why are you trolling him with a 1 move blunder which can lead to a reverse Legal's Mate? (although that mate is with both knights on d5 and e5).