A very young Barnsley side lost 4-0 against Italian giants AS Roma in a behind-closed-doors friendly at St George’s Park on Tuesday.

With the first team beginning their season on Friday against Mansfield, the Reds' starting 11 was mainly an under 21s side. But Donovan Pines continued his return to fitness on the right of a back three, next to Kacper Lopata and Conor McCarthy, while new signing Georgie Gent played at left wing-back.

Seven of the 11 were yet to start a league game for the club while none have made more than 15 appearances.

Roma had seven internationals in their 11 including England striker Tammy Abraham as well as Italy star Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Enzo Le Fee opened the scoring after 70 seconds with a close-range finish following a move down the left.

The Italian side also hit the post from a corner midway through the first half. But Barnsley generally held their own, with Gent putting good crosses in.

As both sides made changes, Roma added two goals quickly midway through the second half with Nicolo Pisilli heading home then substitute Paulo Dybala - World Cup winner with Argentina - came off the bench to dink a finish over Kieren Flavell.

The fourth goal saw Barnsley lose the ball trying to play out from the back and Matias Soule lobbed into the empty net from outside the box.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Flavell; Pines, Lopata, McCarthy; Lofthouse, Bland, Yoganathan, Chapman, Gent; Nzondo, Dyer.

Subs: Nejman, Barrett, James, Farrell, Pickard, Wilson, Makiessi, McCann.