The Under-16s suffered their second defeat of the season, losing 5-1 to Spain at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano. It was the second and final friendly between the sides, two days after their 1-1 draw.

Real Madrid attacking midfielder Alberto Ruiz-Santa Quiteria Intillaque gave Spain an early lead (2’). Espanyol playmaker Hugo Chacón Galván doubled the visitors’ advantage (20’), before AC Milan forward Leonardo Rossini pulled one back for Italy (41’). Alberto Ruiz then restored Spain’s two-goal cushion before the break (44’). Goals from Celta Vigo winger German Alonso Lourido and Manchester City forward Tolani Raheem extended the visitors’ lead in the second half (51’, 74’). Italy finished with ten players after AC Milan defender Adrien Tato was dismissed for a second bookable offence (88’).

“The match got off to the worst possible start,” said head coach Giovanni Costantino. “We conceded twice in the opening 20 minutes. We were still in the game at 2-1, but their third goal was probably the moment the contest swung decisively in their favour. We felt the effects of playing twice in quick succession in the second half, while Spain produced an excellent performance after the break.

“Regardless of the result, however, the development process is what matters,” Costantino continued. “I said the same before this match and before both games against England. The players’ development remains the most important thing, along with testing ourselves against opponents of this level and recognising that there is currently a gap. We need to work to close it over time.”

MATCH. Italy again lined up in a 4-3-1-2, the system used in the 1-1 draw against Spain at Coverciano two days earlier, but changed their entire starting XI: Minicucci in goal; Altieri, Tato, Febbraro and Casella in defence; captain Tedesco, Ejodamen and Buondonno in midfield; and Pica in attacking midfield behind Ndeki and Rossini.

Spain retained their 4-3-3 and, like the Azzurrini, named a completely different side from Tuesday’s meeting: Daniel Castro in goal; Bielsa, Hugo Fernández, Nicolás Afonso and Santi Arocha in defence; Hugo Chacón, Pol Sabadí and Jacobo Afonso in midfield; and captain Alberto Ruiz, Mikel López and German Alonso in attack.

Italy were caught cold when Alberto Ruiz collected the ball around 20 yards out and sent a clinical left-footed effort into the top corner beyond Minicucci (2’). Buoyed by the opener, Spain continued to push and doubled their lead when Bielsa surged down the right before picking out the onrushing Hugo Chacón, who gave the Italy goalkeeper no chance with his right foot (20’). Costantino’s side refused to buckle despite the two-goal deficit and kept playing, with Buondonno firing over from the edge of the box (25’). The Azzurrini grew into the contest and finally found a goal when Rossini converted Pica’s excellent delivery from the left with a right-footed finish (41’). The momentum appeared to have shifted, but the respite lasted only three minutes. Alberto Ruiz, Spain’s liveliest performer, cut inside and completed his brace with a precise low left-footed strike (44’). Following three minutes of added time, Spain went into the break 3-1 up.

Play resumed and the visitors added a fourth when German Alonso followed up after Minicucci had kept out Mikel López’s close-range header (51’). Italy tried to respond, but substitute Musah was denied by a superb Daniel Castro save after fellow replacement Vitali had sent him through with an excellent pass (68’). The Azzurrini kept pushing, only for Spain to strike again through Raheem, who had replaced German Alonso minutes earlier and beat Minicucci with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box (74’). Italy struggled after the fifth and were reduced to ten men when Tato, initially booked in the 42nd minute, received a second yellow card (88’). Spain ran out 5-1 winners.