Hardly a disgrace against one of the game's traditional superpowers but the limp Scotland performance was disappointing, no doubt.

There are mitigating circumstances; players missing, end-of-season friendly syndrome etc. But there will need to be a big improvement against France next weekend.

The Euro 2016 hosts might be in the mood for a big send-off before the party starts in earnest.

We'll be back for that one next Saturday. Ciao for now.

Ollie, Lanark: "Ross McCormack is no better than Steven Fletcher. They both offer nothing up front. Need a striker who can zip around with pace and make defenders work. That man is 40-goal Leigh Griffiths, or Jason Cummings. Or even give Steven Naismith a role up front rather than wasting him in midfield."

They say a picture can be worth a thousand words... 

Image source, SNS

We won on fouls!

The Scotland players will get a chance to work on things ahead of next Saturday's visit to Metz since they are staying on in Malta for a training camp.

Set-plays will be high on the agenda since the few that came our way were wasted.

Scott, Fife: "Once more pre-match analysis contained usual drivel of new strength and depth of Scotland squad. No one was won over. No strength, and certainly no depth. Honest hard working lads, but not one in a top team, few in a top league. 77 mins before a shot and once more not one on target."

Nathan, Stornoway: "A good option for manager would be Derek McInnes in my opinion, done a decent job at Aberdeen with scarce resources so I'd expect him to do fairly well. Gordon Strachan sets up to defend and draw, he gets away with it as we quite often scrape 1-0 wins. I'd rather lose trying to win than draw."   

So what did we learn from that? We know there is a big gulf between Scotland and the top European nations. We know we will be under pressure if we are constantly thumping aimless, long balls out of defence.

Manager Gordon Strachan called for his players to be brave on the ball but it just didn't happen tonight.

However, Scotland were without a lot of players and it's maybe hard to get up for these kind of friendlies at the end of a long, hard season.

I'm slightly worried about next Saturday's match against France now...

A familiar scoreline for the Azzurri but it doesn't really tell the story of a one-sided contest. Italy were vastly superior, particularly in the first half, and Graziano Pelle crashed in a great shot to settle this friendly.

Image source, SNS

We're into three minutes of stoppage-time.

Gianluigi Buffon looks to entertain himself on a thoroughly boring evening for the Italy goalkeeper, dummying to kick three or four times as Steven Naismith looks on. He eventually hoofs it out for a shy. Not very silky.

Come on Scotland. One big push here and we can nick a draw. Give us something. Anything...

James McArthur has run his race for Scotland and Derby's Craig Bryson gets a late cameo for a third international cap.

There are not too many of these Italian subs busting a gut to impress Antonio Conte. Do they reckon the Italian coach has already settled on his 23-man pool for Euro 2016?

Giacomo Bonaventura is on for the last 10 minutes, replacing Emanuele Giaccherini, who missed two great chances in the first half.

Finally a shot on goal for Scotland! Some slipshod defending from the Italians presents Steven Naismith with time and space in the penalty box. The Norwich forward finds a pass to Matt Ritchie and the Bournemouth playmaker is forced wider than he'd like before flashing a strike wide.

Graziano Pelle curls in a well-crafted finish on 56 minutes as Italy finally convert their utter supremacy and veritable barrage of chances into a goal.

Image source, SNS

Gordon Strachan made a couple of changes just before that disappointing corner. Steven Naismith and Oliver Burke are on for Matt Phillips and Ikechi Anya.