Italy crash to 3-0 defeat to Russia in last game before Euro 2012

• Italy slip to their third straight friendly defeat
• Cesare Prandelli says defeat will make Italy stronger

Italy lost 3-0 to Russia in Zurich on Friday in their last warm-up game before Euro 2012 to cap a dismal week for Italian football.

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli played the entire game but could not find a breakthrough as Italy, who had gone unbeaten in qualifying, slipped to their third straight friendly defeat. Balotelli played alongside Antonio Cassano in attack.

Alexander Kerzhakov, who hit the post in the first half, opened the scoring in the 60th minute following poor defending. Another defensive mistake allowed Roman Shirokov to score into an empty net in the 76th minute after a mix-up between the substitute goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and Christian Maggio.

Maggio was again at fault for Russia's third, which Shirokov headed home in the 89th minute.

Italy's coach, Cesare Prandelli, said the defeat will only make his team stronger. "We have suffered a lot," Prandelli said. "We have made many mistakes and we hope that we have used them all tonight.

"Russia were better than us physically, from an intensity and temperament point of view. Perhaps losing in this manner can help us as we return to work in order to improve."

Italy were looking for a morale-boosting victory, with the country embroiled in another match-fixing scandal – 14 people were arrested on Monday. Read More [category Sport][tags Friendlies, Italy, Russia, Euro 2012, European football, Football, Sport]