Young Lions outclassed by Italy and exit UEFA Under-21s at group stage

Gareth Southgate’s Young Lions were pre-tournament second-favourites, but bowed out of the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship at the group stage as Italy put them out with a classy 3-1 display.

Quick-fire first-half goals from Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi put the Azzurrini beyond England. Southgate’s side were left to rue missed opportunities from key attacking trio Danny Ings, Harry Kane and Nathan Redmond, who grabbed a late consolation after Benassi sealed victory with another strike.

The Young Lions edged Sweden last time out, but Jesse Lingard’s goal then papered over some pretty big cracks. An English premium is often said to be paid for homegrown players, but on this evidence this new crop lacked sufficient wherewithal at a tournament stage to live up to their billing.

Southgate responded to edging past Sweden by making changes, four in all that included pairing Ings up top with Kane in attack. Everton’s highly-rated defender John Stones returned to the back four after being passed fit following a concussion, but his skills hardly shone through here.

Early Azzurrini glimpses gave way to a gilt-edge chance for Liverpool-bound Ings when found by a delicious through-ball from strike partner Kane. From a narrowing angle, the man who will be joined in the Anfield attack by Brazil’s Copa America star Roberto Firmino next season fluffed his lines by finding the side-netting.

Kane then worked Italy keeper Francesco Bardi from a similar area after a sublime first-touch in the left-hand channel from Carl Jenkinson’s cross-field ball.

Belotti ghosted in behind Ben Gibson to prod Domenico Berardi’s free-kick past Jack Butland midway through the first-half. The Young Lions defence was breached again moments later with Ings caught in possession by Lorenzo Crisetig, who was allowed to run and then let Benassi take over and beat Butland again.