ITALY - CROATIA 1:1 (1:1)
EURO 2016, Group H.
San Siro stadium, Milan.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Goalkeepers: 1:0 - Candreva (11'), 1:1 - Perišić (15')
Yellow cards: Kovačić (37'), Immobile (46'), Perišić (65')
Italy: Buffon, Chiellini, Ranocchia, Darmian, Pasqual (28' Soriano), De Sciglio, De Rossi, Marchisio, Candreva, Zaza (63' Pelle), Immobile (53' El Shaarawy). Head coach: A. Conte.
Croatia: Subašić, Pranjić, Ćorluka, Vida, Srna, Brozović (83' Badelj), Modrić (28' Kovačić), Olić (68' Kramarić), Rakitić, Perišić, Mandžukić. Head coach: N. Kovač.
On Sunday, Croatia continued its positive run against Italy, being without a defeat in seven games, while the Azzurri managed not to lose their first match at San Siro Stadium. The fourth match in European Qualifiers, with De Rossi and Olić celebrating their 100th cap, ended in 1:1 draw.
Even though Croatia opened the match with Rakitić, Vida, and Modrić efforts, it was Italy that took the lead. Zaza left the ball to Candreva, who struck a low shot from outside of the area for his first international goal.
However, Niko Kovač's men were quick to answer.
Rakitić took advantage from the open space on the left side in the 15th minute, and found Perišić. Taking a step into the box, the Croatian winger found the net under the veteran Buffon.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Both sides then dropped the intensity, while Kovač and Conte had to make their first changes before the half hour mark. Modrić was substituted due to groin injury, making way for Kovačić, and debutant Soriano replaced Pasqual.
After two threatening Italian crosses, Croatia had the upper hand in the final period of the first half. Srna and Rakitić tried from distance, and Olić nearly scored a tap-in, but Ranocchia cleared his shot off the line.
Goalie Subašić was called into action to stop Zaza at the beginning of second half, and Kovačić, Mandžukić, and Rakitić continued to test Buffon. Croatia kept the play at the Italian half and tried to find an opening, with El Shaarawy giving some flare to the hosts from the bench.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Fifteen minutes from time, the Dutch referee was forced to take the players off the field due to flares on the pitch, but the match was later continued.
Croatian goalscorer Perišić missed the golden opportunity in 87th minute. Rakitić played him through, but Perišić sent the ball just wide. Croatia and Italy retained the top of Group H, with Croatia playing Norway in March, and Italy traveling to Bulgaria.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In the remaining Group H matches, Norway claimed an away win at Azerbaijan 1:0, while Bulgaria managed a draw with Malta at home (1:1), with Popov missing a penalty.
EURO 2016 qualifying, Group H:
1. Croatia 10
2. Italy 10
3. Norway 9
4. Bulgaria 4
5. Malta 1
6. Azerbaijan 0
