England Under-21s knew they had to create more chances against five times European Championship winners Italy than they had mustered against the Czech Republic in their tournament opener. But it was never going to be an easy task.

After the goalless draw on Monday, England coach Stuart Pearce said: “They put a man around Tom Huddlestone and stopped his passing range, so we didn't get on the front foot enough.”

In Huddlestone and his former Tottenham teammate Michael Carrick, English football has two players whose passing skills and composure in possession is better suited to Serie A.

When Martin Jol, Sir Alex Ferguson, Stuart Pearce, Steve McClaren (or Sven Goran Eriksson before him) select their team to compete in the Premiership, or at a national level for England, it’s common for either of these two fine players to be missing from the respective starting line-up.

Pearce may have followed Kevin Keegan into the role as Manchester City manager but he never played club football abroad - unlike his predecessor. Lambasted by City fans last season for the failure of his foreign signings to adapt to the Premiership, he now faces the challenge of holding on to the role with England at youth level.

After two games of the European Championships this week, they are hanging perilously close to elimination at the group stages after two draws, but they have the advantage of knowing that victory against Serbia this Sunday would guarantee them a place in the last four. However, Misoslav Djukic’s side have got off to the best start out of all eight competing nations; not only do they have a 100% record but they can also boast not having conceded a goal.

England could have settled for a draw in their final group fixture if they hadn't thrown away a commanding position on Thursday night that was fully deserved after half an hour's play. Pearce’s starting line-up was all about raising the tempo and forcing Italy onto the back foot. West Ham’s Mark Noble was preferred to Huddlestone in midfield, and a third of the way through the contest, the manager’s tactical decision had paid off handsomely.

Passes were sprayed for Ashley Young to run on to, and the Aston Villa man duly stepped his performance level up several gears, providing supporters with the game's most exciting moments. The only drawback was the fact Young picked up another yellow card, which means he cannot play again before the semi-finals.

Leroy Lita’s presence allowed Young the freedom to attack down the middle as well. However, Pierluigi Casiraghi’s team were not about to bow out of the tournament just yet, and as the first half progressed their superiority over England in terms of technical ability and possession grew and a goal before half-time eased their concerns slightly.

After the break it did seem only a matter of time before they converted possession into more goals. One from the official man-of-the-match Alberto Aquilani did come in the second half to restore parity, before Pearce introduced fresh legs in the closing stages. Although England did maintain enough impetus to hold on for a 2-2 draw and a  point in the end, there was no doubting Italy had been dealt another unlucky blow to their chances of repeating the senior team's success of last summer.

“This team does not want to be beaten,” said a defiant Pearce afterwards. “We haven’t lost this season and we hope we have three matches still left to play but we’re aware that it’s not going to be easy."