|
ITALY |
1 |
1 |
CROATIA |
|
Pirlo 41′
|
Mandzukic 72′ |
|
ITALY |
CROATIA |
|
| Possession (%) |
54 |
46 |
| Shots |
15 |
10 |
| Shots on target |
5 |
5 |
| Corners |
6 |
3 |
| Yellow Cards |
2 |
1 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
The smoke-filled Stadion Miejski was venue to the thirteenth fixture of Euro 2012. After an impressive opening 30 minutes from both sides, it was the Italians who took the lead in the first half through a skilfully taken free kick from midfield wizard Andrea Pirlo.
Straight from the off, it was end-to-end stuff as both sides shared possession of the ball. In the third minute, Mario Balotelli showed signs of intent when he hit on the turn from 10 yards, striking just wide of the post.
Just after 10 minutes, an Italian counter attack allowed Marchisio to strike with his left foot from 25 yards, seeing his effort go just over after Balotelli’s shot was blocked by a Croatian defender. Minutes later, Balotelli had another powerful effort saved by Pletikosa but it was straight at the Croatian shot stopper. Balotelli had now had a couple of good chances but failed to convert either.
In the 20th minute, there was a Croatian penalty shout as Nikica Jelavic and Giorgio Chiellini came together in the Italian area but the official behind the goal signalled to referee Howard Webb to give it in favour of the Italians. The two were having an interesting battle. In the same minute, there was a great chance for Croatia as Darijo Srna hit a low cross to the front post towards the oncoming Jelavic, but Buffon did well to claim first. The Croatian supporters began to get behind their team and were the louder of the two sets of fans.
Just after the half hour mark, it was Italy that took a stronghold over the game. Marchisio had another long range effort blocked for a corner and Cassano dragged an effort wide across goal after a dinked pass from Bonucci. In the 37th minute we saw the save of the tournament so far as Stipe Pletikosa pulled off a tremendous double save in front of Marchisio. The Italian turned brilliantly in the area but the Croatian goalie was quick to close him down on two occasions. Two minutes later, the Azzurri were a goal ahead from a great free kick by Andrea Pirlo. The dead ball specialist beat Pletikosa from 25 yards and curled it over the wall and to the right of the keeper who was unable to stop the ball from going in.
Just before the break, a corner from the goalscorer Pirlo found Cassano at the near post but his header went high and wide. Croatia seemed to be running out of ideas and would have been happy to hear the half time whistle as Mandzukic’s effort from a tight angle was gathered easily by Buffon.
Nikica Jelavic surprisingly did not score today, did you list him in your PlayUp3Strikers?
In the second half, Croatia came out with a different mentality, working harder to get back into the game. Luca Modric looked to influence the game as he turned inside to unleash a right footed effort but it went just over. Ten minutes later, Thiago Motta was booked for a foul on Jelavic as a Croatian corner was delivered but strangely no penalty was given.
On the hour, Balotelli had another thunderous strike that whistled just over the bar much to the delight of Pletikosa. Cesare Prandelli then decided to bring on Ricardo Montolivo for Thiago Motta who had already been booked and was involved in altercation with Croatian captain Darijo Srna.
In the 68th minute, Ivan Perisic was brought on for Danijel Pranjic as Croatia looked for the goal. Balotelli came off for Di Natale for the second game in a row after a disappointing second half. Croatia’s persistence paid off within minutes and it was the in-form marksman Mario Mandzukic who equalised for Croatia after collecting the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and hammered in off near the post.
With about ten minutes to go, Italy were close to another scoring opportunity, only for Maggio to be given fractionally offside. Montolivo was then booked for leading into a header with an elbow and Eduardo was brought on for Jelavic who had failed to score. In a similar fashion to their game against Spain, Cassano came off for Sebastian Giovinco, the shortest player in the tournament. Shortly after coming on, the speedy striker was put through down the wing but was manhandled by Gordon Schildenfeld who was booked for the infringement.
Due to the persistent will of the Croatian fans to interrupt the game by throwing flares on the pitch, five added minutes were signalled by the fourth official. Four minutes into stoppage time, Niko Kranjcar came on to replace Mario Mandzukic, who went off with an injury, but the game ended in a draw.
Many of you chose to stick with Mario Mandzukic in the Next Goal game! Find out how you did in PlayUp’s Next Goal mobile web game now.
|
ITALY |
CROATIA |
| 01 Buffon | 01 Pletikosa |
| 19 Bonucci | 11 Srna |
| 16 De Rossi | 05 Corluka |
| 03 Chiellini | 13 Schildenfeld █ |
| 02 Maggio | 02 Strinic |
| 08 Marchisio | 07 Rakitic |
| 21 Pirlo | 10 Modric |
| 05 Motta █ (Montolivo 65’ █) | 08 Vukojevic |
| 13 Giaccherini | 20 Perisic (Pranjic 72’) |
| 10 Cassano (Giovinco 83’) | 09 Jelavic |
| 09 Balotelli (Di Natale 71’) | 17 Mandzukic (Kranjcar 90+4’) |
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