"I messed up" - Platt

England Under-21 coach David Platt conceded he "messed up" following his side's 1-0 defeat to Italy.

Platt's side were uninspiring as they failed to register a single shot on target at the Stadio Dei Marmi.

England eventually suffered their first defeat this season 15 minutes from time when Empoli striker Marco Borrello powerfully headed home beyond Derby keeper Lee Grant, one of five new faces on show.

It was Platt's plethora of substitutions which ultimately proved to be England's downfall as they failed to find any rhythm during the second half.

"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."

Other than Grant, Blackburn defender James McEveley, Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan and Ipswich duo Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent all made their debuts in a side shorn of many top names.

That was due to England coach Sven-Goran-Eriksson promoting a number of the better Under-21 players to the senior ranks for tomorrow’s friendly with Australia at Upton Park.

It was up front where England, in particular, failed to spark, with Platt adding: "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."