The Under-21s' march towards the European Championships next year has started in defeat. In front of a crowd of 2,800 at the stadio "Adriatico-Giovanni Cornacchia" in Pescara, the Azzurrini were beaten 2-0 by England who got off to a flying start with two goals inside six minutes through Brewser. Italy reacted strongly though and came close to deservedly finding the net several times but Carsley's side, who started with seven players born in 2000 to Italy's four, doggedly held out. 

"We let two in short time against a strong side who made us pay for our errors," said Head Coach Paolo Nicolato afterwards. "I'm very proud because the team continued to play and didn't let their heds drop, despite their young age. The game should be looked upon as a positive: we wanted a test and that's what we got, I liked our performance both with the ball and without. This spirit will brings us fruits for our labours: we have a young group who when faced with players and teams at such a level as today may bring some difficulties, but this defeat gives me more satisfaction than some previous victories." From today, the Under-21s will be back at Castel di Sangro to focus their attention on a second friendly, scheduled for Monday at 15:30 CEST against Japan at the stadio "Teofilo Patini" (live on RaiSport).

THE MATCH: After remembering the victims in the recent flooding in the Marches region (Italy wore black armbands, as did England to commemorate the death of Queen Elizabeth), the Azzurrini faced an uphill task from the off: within 90 seconds, England won a penalty for a foul by Bove on Gallagher; from the penalty spot, Brewster sent Plizzari the wrong way to open the scoring. Almost immediately, the lead was doubled: Gomes latched onto ta ball that Bove lost to play in Brewster who poked past Plizzari again to make it 2-0. Italy's first chance after 14 minutes: Parisi's cross from the right was met by Cambiaso but his header went over the bar. England went to close to a third but Okoli saved the day recovering to stop Gallagher. After 23 minutes, Bursik stopped Pellegri's attempt on goal and on the follow-up Cambiaghi's left-footed strike was fired wide. Moments later, the Torino forward was forced off and replaced by Colombo. After 36 minutes, Rovella's corner from the right was headed toeards goal by Viti but Brewster got in the way to keep it out. The last piece of action of the half fell to England but Colwill's header hit the post.

After the break, Nicolato made four changes and sent on Cittadini, Udogie, Fagioli and Esposito replacing Viti, Parisi, Bove and Cambiaghi. The first chance of the half came to the Juventus midfielder but his shot was wide of the target. Colombo then tried his luck but skied over the bar; the sane result for Miretti's attempt, too. In the 62nd minute, Rovella's long-range free-kick was just a whisker away past the right post, and before the final whistle blew, Colombo headed over over. Italy ended the game with ten men as Rovella was booked for a second time.

ITALY-ENGLAND 0-2
SCORERS: 3' and 6': Brewster
ITALY: Plizzari; Scalvini, Okoli, Viti (46' Cittadini); Cambiaso (68' Bellanova), Bove (46' Fagioli), Rovella, Miretti (68' Vignato), Parisi (46' Udogie); Cambiaghi (46' Esposito), Pellegri (28' Colombo). Unused Subs: Caprile, Sorrentino, Turati, Pirola, Canestrelli, Moro, Ranocchia, Ruggeri, Circati. Coach. Nicolato
ENGLAND: Bursik; Harwood-Bellis (93' Mbete), Cresswell, Colwill (71' Thomas); Sessegnon (71' Gordon), Gomes (71' Doyle), Skipp (71' Garner), Spence (71' Aarons); Gallagher (71' Ramsey), Brewster (71' Balogun), Palmer (71' Elliott). Unused Subs: Griffiths, Trafford, McAtee, Morton. Coach. Carsley
REFEREE: Dudic (Svizzera)
ASSITANT REFERESS: Heiniger-Kurnazca (Svizzera)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Paterna (Italia)
NOTES: Rovella sent off (IT) after 86' for two bookings. Bookings: Brewster (EN), Gomes (EN), Skipp (EN)