Bridge the 'grand surprise' praised by Trapattoni

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Montella silences out-of-tune England

Italians deliver a bolt from the blue

Sven Goran Eriksson's second defeat as England coach was a reminder that Italian football is not a spent force at international level and, according to his captain, a warning that they cannot afford lapses of concentration.

Both the Italian goals last night resulted from individual errors ­ Joe Cole's surrendering possession to allow Vincenzo Montella to dramatically equalise and David James' clumsy challenge on Massimo Maccarone to concede the 91st-minute penalty ­ something David Beckham singled out in the aftermath of defeat.

"Maybe it's a lesson in concentration and in not giving the ball away," said Beckham, who said tiredness had not been a factor in the defeat. "In the first half we did not pass it around as well as we can; everything seemed dead. But the tempo opened up in the second half when there were fresh players on the pitch."

Of the young players hoping to impress Eriksson, Wayne Bridge ("a very modern left-back" according to his manager) had the greatest impact, although Owen Hargreaves and Cole also shone. "They have a good future, although whether that future will be realised in two months, six months or a year, we will see," said Eriksson.

"I think we played some good football and were unlucky to lose; perhaps it was a lack of experience but it is very good for young players to come up against a team like Italy. It disturbs me when we lose but it is surely better to lose a friendly than a competitive match."

The Italian manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, signalled the Southampton defender out for special praise. "Bridge was a grand surprise. Technically, he is very good. He is impressive because in Italy we do not have players of that stamp."

Trapattoni said that the victory "demonstrated that Italian football is not dead as we have all been reading lately. You cannot write us off."