England 1-1 Italy

Under-21 International Friendly
Valley Parade, Bradford City FC

A game of wonderful entertainment and no little talent between the bright young stars of English and Italian football finished all even at 1-1 in tonight's Nationwide friendly international at Bradford City.

Having gone behind to an early Italian goal, David Platt's side put in a rousing second half performance to draw themselves level through captain, Gareth Barry.

The Aston Villa man prodded home from a corner after 59 minutes to restore the equilibrium against a highly impressive Italian side, managed by former international Claudio Gentile.

Gentile's side made an excellent start and, after six minutes, Maccarone scampered onto a through ball and might have done better than the angled shot he dragged wide of Paul Robinson's right hand post.

It was an early warning from the Italians who settled quickly into their task, showing the composure and maturity that has made them European Champions on three of the last four occasions that the competition has been held.

The two teams will meet each other once again in this summer's European Championship and England will now be in little doubt that the Azzurri will provide the sternest of tests.

An almost identical move to the one that had opened England up on six minutes provided the game's opening goal after quarter of an hour.

On this occasion, the bald-headed Maccarone made no mistake. Picked out by a sumptuous ball from the number seven, Marchionni, the Empoli striker picked his spot and found the corner of the net with a shot that left Robinson with no hope of repelling it.

The strike may have been a disappointment to David Platt's side but it could not have been said to be a surprise, given the visitors' superior start to the game.

England's brightest early moments were provided by Alan Smith. The Leeds United striker has shown admirable maturity and enthusiasm since joining up with the Under-21s this week and he carried that sense of purpose onto the pitch with him tonight, consistently offering himself as an option and troubling the Italian rearguard with his physique and competitive edge.

Set-pieces seemed to be England's most fruitful avenue, with a Zat Knight overhead kick on nineteen minutes and a succession of Matthew Etherington dead-ball centres causing genuine uncertainty in an hitherto unmoved Italian defence.

David Platt showed the flexibility that he has developed with this group of players, shifting seamlessly to a 3-5-2 formation after the break.

With Jloyd Samuel pushed in alongside Knight and Barry at the back, Scott Parker introduced to bolster the midfield and Jermaine Pennant's pace and trickery adding an extra attacking dimension, England were an entirely different proposition in the second half.

Jermain Defoe, of whom the enthusiastic 21, 642 crowd had seen precious little in the first half, hit a post with a skidding long range effort before the Italian captain Pirlo reminded England that he was still around by starting and finishing a stunning move which Robinson did well to foil at the last.

However, on 59 minutes, England's comeback got the goal it deserved when skipper Gareth Barry swiveled to strike home following a Pennant corner which the Italians had failed to clear.

More chances came and went for England as the home side finished the stronger in a game that continued to entertain until the very final minute.

Coach David Platt took the chance to look at all of his substitutes including Stephen Bywater, Anthony Gardner and the unmistakable Peter Crouch.

The giant Portsmouth striker whose impressive form and 19 goals for the First Division side this season have led to a potential big-money move to Graham Taylor's Aston Villa, made an impressive impact when he arrived on the scene.

On more than one occasion he might have scored the winner for England but perhaps Platt's proteges are better off saving their final flourish for when these two sides meet again on May 20 in Basel.

Skipper Gareth Barry believes that the squad will now travel to Switzerland full of hope thus summer.

"There are always players moving up and down to the full England squad and that gives you confidence and belief that if you do well at this level you will get a chance," he said.

``We're going to Switzerland believing we can win the tournament.

``It's always going to be difficult against Italian teams but we got to grips with it and the manager said to us if you believe you will get back into this then you will.

``We had a few new caps today and only a small squad and only a little time to work together but since David Platt's come in he's done very well and introduced new players.

``There's a nice blend now and a lot of quality. We think we've got a very good chance over there.''

England Under-21: Robinson, Wright, Knight, Barry, Samuel, Wright-Phillips, Jenas, Prutton, Etherington, Alan Smith, Defoe. Subs: Parker, Bywater, Gardner, Crouch, Pennant.

Italy Under-21: Generoso Rossi, Bonera, Bellini, Ferrari, Cannavaro, Maresca, Marchionni, Brighi, Maccarone, Pirlo, Bonazzoli. Subs: Agliardi, Castellini, Lucchini, Zaccado, Donati, Gatti, Pinzi, Gilardino, Iaquinta. Referee: Alan Kelly (Ireland) Att: 21,642 see related stories to view the full match schedule for this summer's European Championship, to be held in Switzerland.

From Daniel Freedman at Bradford City.