Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was culpable for Piotr Zielinski's opener but made amends by securing a draw for Italy in Bologna.
Jorginho converted a 78th-minute penalty as a stuttering Italy earned a 1-1 Nations League draw at home to Poland.
The visitors, beginning life under new boss Jerzy Brzeczek after an underwhelming group-stage exit at the World Cup, went in front five minutes before half-time through Piotr Zielinski.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho misplaced a pass and was dispossessed in the build-up to that goal but unfurled his skip-step penalty routine to fine effect.
It salvaged a fitful Italy display as Roberto Mancini continues to plot his recovery from one of the football's grand nations failing to reach Russia 2018.