World champions Italy defeated by Croatia

LIVORNO, Italy, Aug 16 (Reuters) World champions Italy, fielding an entirely experimental side, lost 2-0 to Croatia in a friendly today.

New Italy coach Roberto Donadoni, in charge for the first time after taking over from World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, did not include any of the players who featured during the triumphant World Cup campaign.

The defeat ends Italy's unbeaten run of 25 matches -- the 25th being July's triumph on penalties over France in the World Cup final in Berlin.

Brazilian born Eduardo da Silva put Croatia ahead with a 28th minute header past keeper Marco Amelia -- a non-playing member of the World Cup squad where he was third-choice behind Gianluigi Buffon.

Croatia, who had Slaven Bilic taking charge as coach for the first time, looked confident and extended their lead three minutes before the break.

Amelia parried a shot from Milan Rapaic and Luka Modric followed in with a left-foot shot to make it 2-0.

After the break Cristiano Lucarelli headed wide from a Franco Semioli cross for Italy and then Amelia pulled off a good save to foil Modric.

Neither side created much although David Di Michele shot wide with a bicycle kick and for Croatia Bosko Balaban twice went close in the final stages.

''I can't complain about what the lads produced,'' Donadoni told Italy's Rai television, ''They produced more than I expected given the stage of the season we are at. We knew they were more prepared then we are in terms of fitness,'' he added.

Italy's Serie A season does not begin until September. 10.

The Azzurri began their Euro 2008, Group B qualifying campaign against Lithuania on Sept 2 before facing France again four days later.

REUTERS PDS PM0242