With a number of new faces included in his squad, David was keen to give as many players as possible a run-out, but after going down to to Marco Borriello's 74th minute strike, he felt the changes unsettled his side as they tried to keep a strong Azzurri side at bay.

"I came here with the intention of playing everybody and when they hit their purple patch and we were up against it, I was making it even worse by making changes," said Platt.

"But you cannot bring people all the way out here to give them just five minutes at the end.

"It sounds daft, but in my room today I had almost got the substitutions in my mind at what minute I would be making them.

"In the game, you are following that almost to the letter to make sure people are gaining in experience and getting a game, and that's the most important thing.

"The first half performance was very positive, but then they came out of the traps better than us in the second half.

"We were weathering it, but then all of a sudden people are coming into a game that's difficult.

"Normally you would make a substitution to ride it out or change something on the pitch, but I messed it up.

 

"But what do you do? You are not going to gain any experience by playing just five minutes at the end of a game.

"Although this is only a friendly we are still disappointed not to have won the game or at least to have got something out of it."

With a number of Platt's usual squad earning a call from Sven for the seniors, Derby keeper Lee Grant, Blackburn defender James McEveley, Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan and Ipswich duo Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent all made their debuts in the second half alongside Forest defender Michael Dawson and Brghton's Bobby Zamora who were both given their first starts.

Up against one of the most talented teams in the World at that level, Platt's boys certainly won't be ashamed in defeat, and they will also take some key points home in preparation for the big Euro Qualifier against Turkey on April 2nd.

"If there's one criticism I don't think we got enough crosses in.

"But the one thing I will say is the Italians are the best in the world at stopping crosses. Their mothers must play tapes to them when they are in the womb or something."

Click here for a match report from the Stadio dei Marmi on Tuesday night