Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted his side’s one-sided 1-0 defeat to Italy was a “learning curve” for his young squad.
Graziano Pelle curled home the only goal from 20 yards but Scotland would have been on the end of a heavier defeat if Emanuele Giaccherini had shown more composure when presented with several clear chances in the first half.
Italy appeared to ease off after Pelle’s 57th-minute strike but Scotland only managed one effort at goal — Matt Ritchie’s 78th-minute strike whistled wide of the near post from 18 yards.
Strachan said: “It’s a learning curve, not only for us, and I hope the whole of Scottish football, everybody at youth level, understands what you need to be a top player.
“We have talked about why we didn’t pass the ball as well as we can. I counted about eight or nine passes we have given away, which you would think we’d keep it or do better.
“A lot of our players are in the Championship, not at the top European level. And you are also playing against a Juventus back three and keeper who are fantastic.
“Yes, we would have liked to have done more but it’s partly down to them and partly down to us. We know that. It clears the picture, we understand exactly what you need when you go into the top games.
“We’ve got a young squad over here and it’s been a great learning curve for them to watch it never mind play against it.”
The former Celtic boss added: “You can’t be offensive if you can’t pass the ball to each other.
“We were badly off the pace with our passing. It’s still the biggest secret to the game, whatever any coach tells you about systems. It’s about players being able to beat people and pass.”
