Game in a sentence
Andrea Pirlo opened the scoring from a direct free-kick just six minutes before the break but Croatia were a much different side after the restart and got a deserved equaliser from Mario Mandzukic in the 72nd minute.
Observations
- After losing almost every man-to-man matchup in the opening period Croatia played a much more responsible second half and were rewarded when Mandzukic controlled Ivan Strinic’s excellent cross before finishing powerfully from point-blank range to restore level terms.
- Strinic, who along with Ivan Perisic had been pinned back by Christian Maggio in the first half, was a difference-maker after the break. His cross from the left-touchline that produced the Mandzukic goal looped exquisitely over the defense before falling at the feet of the Wolfsburg forward.
- Georgio Chiellini barely put a foot wrong on this night, but the one time he was found out of position proved to be crucial as he left Mandzukic wide open at the corner of a gaping goal.
- Italy made the brighter start of the two sides and even got a mostly positive performance from striker Mario Balotelli, who had three early shots on goal. Balotelli brought his shooting boots to Poznan—a reaction, no doubt, to the criticism he received after failing to take his chances against Spain on Sunday.
- Italy midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Motta and Claudio Marchisio absolutely ran the show in the opening 45 minutes and time and again launched long, arching passes to Balotelli and Cassano, who were trying to run in behind the Croatian defense. Had more of the attempts connected the Azzurri might well have led by more than a goal at the halftime whistle.
- Pirlo scored the competition’s first goal from a direct free-kick when, following a Darijo Srna foul on Balotelli, his effort went up and over the wall and tickled Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa’s fingers before bulging the back of the net inside the near post. At the time it was the least Italy deserved.
- Croatia were much more settled after the restart and Luka Modric began to take control on the edge of the attacking third. The Tottenham playmaker was especially useful off the ball, making short, quick runs into useful space so as to provide a passing outlet for his teammates. The 26-year-old also ventured back into his own end to put himself into the occasional tackle and was his side’s most important player of the second half.
- Nikica Jelavic was replaced by Eduardo in the 83rd minute after a mostly disappointing display. Having been completely manhandled by Bonucci and Chiellini in the first half he failed to make an imprint in the match—something that became even clearer as Mandzukic began to figure out the Italian defense as the game wore on.
- Croatia will almost certainly be issued a warning by UEFA (and probably fined as well) for the behaviour of their fans in Poznan. On several occasions during the second half the match had to be stopped as smoke from flares thrown onto the pitch wafted over the ground. There were also reports of racist chants being directed at Balotelli in the first half. Russia, who have also caught the ire of European football’s governing body, were handed a suspended six-point deduction for Euro 2016 qualifying on Wednesday and fined €120,000.
- With the draw, Croatia have yet to lose to Italy since independence. In seven matches they have won three times, drawn four, scored nine goals and conceded five.
Three stars
1. Andrea Pirlo
2. Mario Mandzukic
3. Luka Modric
Follow Jerrad Peters on Twitter @peterssoccer
luka modric at 3rd star is a joke. Should be Srna, Marchisio, Chiellini or someone else.
Dear KJ,
Modric is world class???
-His only through ball was offside
-When Italy trounce Ireland and Spain demolish croatia, your ‘darkhorse’ team will be finished
-modric completed close to ZERO forward passes the entire first half
-he committed more fouls against Italy than goal scoring chances, shots, effective passes, tackles, crosses COMBINED.
-he had close to ZERO affect on the game.
-Severus Snape > minuscule modric any day all day.
-modric is a good player, like robben. But world class???? hahahahahaha. Good one.
Mandzukic is amazing.
Dear Bandini,
HAhahahaha what now???
What happened to Italy’s ‘GODLY DEFENCE’??
italy is an average team, with some kick ass players. Wow, couldn’t even beat croatia with a “world class” modric.
Ah well, this group will serve well for Spain for warm up =)
did not like Prandelli taking off Balotelli. Italy needed his height and a guy with that shot could of got a goal out of nothing. all comes down to the last game it looks like. I don’t expect Spain too play for a draw when they take on Croatia.
Horrible substitutions today by Prandelli. You can’t waste 2 subs on forwards in a 3-5-2, Cassano was the man to come off. Nocerino should have come on instead of Montolivo who hasn’t had a great year. Balzaretti was probably a better option over Giaccherini vs the more physical Croatians.
Did anyone notice that De Rossi was being quite aggressive with Balotelli while the Azzurri were celebrating Pirlo’s goal on the touch line?
I had to rewind a few times to be sure I wasn’t reading the moment incorrectly.
De Rossi had a hold of Balotelli by the scruff and appeared to be giving him a talking to; DeRossi seemed to be livid somehow … maybe he was just amped up. Or maybe not.
Odd… Could be just a case of the whatevers.
Did anyone else feel like italy got screwed on about 4 offisde calls?
Though only 2 are coming to mind.
When Maggio would’ve been in on goal, he missed a half hearted shot, but i think the whistle had gone.
Di Natale was off to the races when Giaccarhini cleared the ball…
I think there was another one, Maggio or Marchisio possibly got to the touch line and could’ve centred it for a wide open Balotelli.
I definitely noticed. In the end, a draw was the right outcome. Italy dominated one half, Croatia the other. But Italy did get hosed on a lot of close calls.
Two draws and a loss in WC 2010 and now two draws in Euro 2012. Italy need to play attacking football for the win. Instead they play for the lead and then use catenaccio to try and preserve their lead.
Not sure if any one else could but I saw the Croatia goal coming 5 minutes before it did. Italy were inviting them on and hoping to just keep the lead. I think Balotelli actually did well today. Not sure I agree with Prandelli that you alway have to sub both strikers out. Would have rather seen Borini come in to give some pace and drop in Nocerino to lock up the midfield.
i dont think italy was playing any “catenaccio”, i think they just couldn’t get anything going forward im the second half … the italy midfield seemed tired and slow in the 2nd … as for the same old “catenaccio” story line with italy – England v France was catenaccio, this wasn’t
Did the Croatian racists boo Eduardo too? Or is it only the other teams dark-skinned players who are open for criticism?
The racists will be loving Russia 2018; so many darkies to deride! *barf*
Italy has played well the last 2 games.
1) Balotelli should not come off
2) Play giovinco and balotelli as cassano is not 100%
3) If spain and croatia tie 2 – 2, italy win 7 – 0
italy will be out. uefa rules suck , fifa alot better
Mandzukic was yet again impressive on the pitch, both on and off the ball. Here’s hoping he’ll be fit for MD 3 v Spain. Croatia will need him to link up crosses from Jelavic and be spearheaded from that diamond of Modric. Croatia is the darkhorse of this year’s EUROs.
Spain hasn’t proved anything yet at this years EUROs with a lack luster performance v Italy and an ok match against a dismal Ireland defense. Hell even Torres scored, so what does that say about your back four? I believe Croatia will widen Spain’s midfield with Mandzukic and Jelavic frustrating Spain’s back four. And yes Modirc is world class and Robben is definitely not!