Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted his side were “badly off the pace” with their passing in a one-sided 1-0 defeat by Italy, in Malta, on Sunday.
Strachan felt the friendly, at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali, was a harsh lesson both for his players and Scottish football as a whole as Italy outclassed his team.
Graziano Pelle curled home the only goal from 20 yards but Scotland would have been on the end of a heavier defeat if Emanuele Giaccherini had shown more composure when presented with several clear chances in the first half.
Italy appeared to ease off after Pelle’s 57th-minute strike but Scotland only managed one effort at goal – Matt Ritchie’s 78th-minute strike whistled wide of the near post.
Strachan said: “You can’t be offensive if you can’t pass the ball to each other. That is it, whatever system you have.
“We were badly off the pace with our passing. It’s still the biggest secret to the game, whatever any coach tells you about systems. It’s about players being able to beat people and pass.
“I keep coming to this conversation every time. It’s something I know and I wish somebody would just listen to me.”
Strachan clearly felt there were wider lessons to take from the game.
The former Celtic boss added: “It’s a learning curve, not only for us, and I hope the whole of Scottish football, everybody at youth level, understands what you need to be a top player.
“That’s the problem for us. A lot of our players are in the Championship, not at the top European level. And let’s not forget... you are also playing against a Juventus back three and a great keeper.”
It was Italy’s first win in five matches and provided a boost ahead of their Euro 2016 group campaign against Ireland, Belgium and Sweden.
Azzurri coach Antonio Conte said: “My players were really determined and tried their best on what was a difficult pitch to play on.
“I’m proud of the passion my team showed. We have to build on this and look at the positives.
“Let’s look at the fact we didn’t concede any goals, that Scotland never had a shot on target. Let’s not always be negative.”
Southampton striker Pelle, who scored his first goal for the national team at the same venue in Malta, said: “We were not at our best but I’m happy that I scored. I scored my first Italy goal here too, so Malta evidently brings me luck.
“We should have created more in the second half.
“The coach demands 100 per cent from us. We knew that we had to give more in the second half and were eager to get out there.”