Euro 2008: Italy 1-1 Romania - Capitan Del Piero Trumped by Capitan Buffon…

By: Marco P. | June 15th, 2008

Italian goalie Gianluigi Buffon reacts after saving a penalty kick shot by Adrian Mutu, unseen, during the group C match between Italy and Romania in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. (AP Photo by Matt Dunham)
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Cue another disappointing performance by Italy. Cue more doubts being cast on the Azzurri’s Euro 2008 chances. Cue waiting one more day to finally see Alessandro Del Piero take the reins of this team and put in the ball in the net (”alla Del Piero” hopefully).

Italy's Alessandro Del Piero (L) takes a free kick during their Group C Euro 2008 soccer match against Romania at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, June 13, 2008. (REUTERS) The Juve forward was (confirming expectations from the match’s eve) selected as the Azzurri’s “man with the armband” on Friday, a recognition for ADP’s true leadership qualities and international experience (with Fabio Cannavaro out injured, Del Piero is currently the player with most caps on Italy’s roster). All that was not enough however, as Italy struggled to get their first points at Euro 2008 and could only muster a draw against a tough Romanian side.

In truth, this match could have taken a whole other turn had Luca Toni’s first half goal not been disallowed for an inexistent offside. Italy would have gone to break with a 1-0 lead but luck doesn’t seem to be helping Italy lately, and in the second half a dangerous backpass from Gianluca Zambrotta was intercepted by Adrian Mutu, who hit it one time to beat Buffon and put Romania in the lead. A few minutes later, Italy tied the game as a Pirlo corner-kick was redirected by Giorgio Chiellini towards Christian Panucci, and the Roma man tapped in for 1-1. Alessandro Del Piero was trying whichever way he could to make an impact (obtaining but missing a free-kick from good position), but the attentive defensive work of Tamas and Goian kept Pinturicchio’s creativity in check. After a tiring game, he left his place to Fabio Quagliarella in minute 77.

Italy's Fabio Quagliarella (R) comes in for team mate Alessandro Del Piero during a change during their Group C Euro 2008 soccer match against Romania at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, June 13, 2008. (REUTERS) Things could have gone from bad to worse for Italy, when an 80^th-minute shirt-tug by Panucci on D.Niculae inside the box gave Romania the chance to clinch the victory and send the Azzurri home. Super Gigi Buffon made a monster save on Adrian Mutu’s spot-kick however, keeping the hopes of an entire nation alive. France vs. Italy on Wednesday will be decisive for Group C but it may not be enough for the Azzurri, as they look to the other match hoping Romania will not beat Netherlands.

Final statistics for ADP:
1 shot on target
2 shots wide
1 foul committed
3 fouls suffered
2 offsides

Here’s what Del Piero had to say after the match (Channel4):

Euro 2008 Zurich - Letzigrund Stadium
June, 13th 2008
Italy 1-1 Romania

Alessandro Del Piero has faith Italy can still qualify, as they have rediscovered the attitude that was lacking against Holland. The 1-1 draw with Romania may not have garnered full points, but it was a considerably stronger performance than the 3-0 debut thrashing.

“We have decidedly changed mentality compared to the Holland game and that goes for all of my teammates, not just those who came in for this match,” said the captain. “We were missing something in our opener, but have rediscovered it now. Unfortunately we were a little exposed to counter-attacks and shots from distance, so at the end of the day we could have even lost. We tried to impose our style of play and push them back into their own half, so nobody can complain about that.”

“I hope the penalty save can be a positive sign for the future of our European Championship campaign” concluded Del Piero.

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Odds are that for their decisive match vs. France, Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni will field Antonio Cassano from the start. Whether it is Del Piero that makes way for him still has to be seen, but I have a strong feeling we’ll see the much anticipated Del Piero-Toni-Cassano “tridente” on Wednesday.
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You can read my full review of Italy vs. Romania in the following post:
Euro 2008: Italy 1-1 Romania - Azzurri Hopes Now Hanging by a Thread…

To find out what results would favor Italy on matchday 3, read:
Euro 2008: Group C Qualification Scenarios

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	ITALY-ROMANIA 1-1 [Match Highlights]
GOALSCORERS: 10’ Mutu (R), 56’ Panucci (I)
ITALY (4-3-1-2): Buffon – Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso – Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta (58’ Cassano) – Camoranesi (85’ Ambrosini) – Toni, Del Piero (77’ Quagliarella). (bench: Amelia, De Sanctis, Gamberini, Barzagli, Materazzi, Gattuso, Aquilani, Borriello, Di Natale). Coach: Donadoni
ROMANIA (4-4-1-1): Lobont – Contra, Tamas, Goian, Rat – Radoi (25’ Dica), Petre (60’ Nicolita), Codrea, Chivu – Mutu (88’ Cocis) – D.Niculae. (bench: Popa, Stancioiu, Marica, Sapunaru, Ghinea, Moti, M.Niculae, Cristea, Dica, Radu). Coach: Piturca.

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Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero (R) is challenged by Romanian forward Daniel Niculae during the Euro 2008 Championships Group C football match Italy vs. Romania on June 13, 2008 at Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland. (PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)