Defeat is all part of learning curve

Gareth Southgate13 April 2012

It may not have been the best match in the world but, from a player's point of view, the friendly against Italy was an invaluable exercise. OK so we lost and we haven't won in our last four matches but is that so important?

I don't think so. It is far better to play world class opposition like Italy and face the problems they present than play against an inferior team and learn next to nothing.

Let's face it, we are going to have to beat teams who have the same quality as the Italians if we are to achieve anything, either in this coming World Cup or further down the line.

You can always learn and believe me, playing the Italians teaches you a great deal.

They were certainly up for it on the night and, especially in the first half, they stopped us from playing, breaking up the flow of the game in a typically Italian way.

The big difference between Italy and ourselves at the moment is that they looked like a team who had played together for some time.

It's not easy for our coach. He knows that there are only three games left before we play Sweden in our opening World Cup group tie but what can he do?

I'm sure he would like to fine tune a few things but the way our domestic season is, things aren't going to be that much different next month when we meet Paraguay.

With players still playing vital matches for their clubs, the managers aren't going to want their men out on that pitch for more than 45 minutes in case they pick up an injury.

It really is hard to try and impress in such a short time though. In many ways it's a similar scenario to that which confronts you right through your career.

It's a bit like the District Schools' trials. You know you've got to impress but you're desperate not to do anything foolish or be too clever. You want to prove instead that you are reliable and that you can be trusted to go out and do the job well.

It's the same for all of us. I'm one of the more experienced players in the squad but I still want to impress when I'm given the opportunity because, like each and every one of the squad, you want to force your way into that team in time for Japan and South Korea.

The coach will have learned a great deal from the match and I have a feeling he would have been especially impressed with Wayne Bridge at left-back.

I thought he had a good game against Holland and he followed that up with another good performance against Italy.

Playing in the same back four, I had time to watch him and I am impressed with his positive approach. He's very happy to go forward.

As a defender I hope I can appreciate good players in my position and I have to say that Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta are two of the best around.

They like to mark particularly tightly and, when you wander upfield for a corner or a freekick, they're almost in your shorts.

Perhaps they get away with things a little but they are very good players, all the same.

I have a feeling they are not going to be too far away from honours in this summer's World Cup.

Croatia, Ecuador and Mexico make up their group and I don't see Italy conceding too many goals against that, or any other opposition.

The Italians seemed to have a little more license, making only one change at half-time and they certainly looked as they knew each other's play quite well.

My former Aston Villa teammate, David James, will be disappointed he let in two goals but he didn't have a prayer for the first while the penalty was just one of those things.

I know Sven thought the match was a worthwhile exercise against one of the better, most organised, most difficult teams to play against in world football.

All we can do now is go back to our clubs, hopefully come through the Easter programme unscathed and then hope we get another chance next month against Paraguay.

If that happens and we get another 45 minutes, we'll be doing our best to impress because one half of a match is a great deal better than no chance at all.

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