Don't know the rules in Italy but in USA there is clear distinction between "acting as PIC" and "logging PIC time". The pilot flying does not have to be acting as PIC but may log PIC as the sole manipulator of the controls. For the case posed by the OP doesn't the answer depend on whether the applicant is current at the time of the check ride?
For every flight review or new rating check ride in USA I logged time as PIC.