Italy 1-1 Romania

Italy 1-1 Romania: Italy clinging on after Mutu's hit-and-miss show

ITALY 1
Panucci (56)
ROMANIA 1
Mutu (55)
ITALY live to fight another day at the European Championships thanks to a late penalty save from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon against Romania.

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu had put the Romanians in front in the 57th minute only for Christian Panucci to equalise straight away for the world champions, who suffered a 3-0 humiliation to Holland in their opening Group C game.

Panucci then brought Daniel Niculae down five minutes from time to concede the penalty, but Mutu's effort from the spot was saved by Buffon.

The result means that Italy must now win their last game against France on Tuesday to stand any chance of progressing.

Italy did feel hard done by the officials, especially after Norwegian referee Tom Henning ruled out Luca Toni's goal on the stroke of half-time for offside.

"I don't usually speak about referees," said Donadoni. "But today's refereeing was not of high quality.

"Let's just say the referee did not have the best of days."

The draw has left Italy needing to win their final game against France to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Donadoni, who made wholesale changes to his side following their 3-0 loss to Holland in their opener, was impressed with his team's improved performance. "I think my players interpreted the game well, with a lot of determination," he said.

"Romania are a difficult team and I think my players merit praise for what they have done today.

"Considering what we have done in terms of chances and the determination we have shown on the pitch, I think Italy have been superior to Romania."

Donadoni praised Gianluca Zambrotta, despite the full-back's blunder – a back header towards Buffon that was intercepted by Mutu – which led to Romania's opener.

"Despite that incident, Zambrotta played a great game," said Donadoni. "He has shown a lot of quality and commitment."

Donadoni made five changes to the starting line-up but it failed to inspire the Azzurri, who are still winless after two games.

Fabio Grosso, Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero all started.

Among those omitted were World Cup winners Marco Materazzi and Gennaro Gattuso, who looked sluggish in Berne on Monday.

The Italians, severely criticised after their flat display against the Dutch, showed a sense of urgency from the start and almost broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Del Piero's close-range header from Perrotta's cross went just wide of the near post.

In the 15th minute, Romania should have gone in front but Mutu's left-footed strike from the edge of the area was parried away by Buffon.

At the other end, Toni latched onto Grosso's cross but his header went high over the bar. Buffon was then forced to fully stretch to clear Gabriel Tamas' free-kick towards the far post.

Italy almost fell behind in the 19th minute, with Cristian Chivu's free-kick deflected by Panucci but rebounding off the far post, with Buffon already beaten. Romania were forced to make their first substitution midway through the first half with Dica replacing the injured Mirel Radoi.

Italy showed more determination and twice had the opportunity to take the lead but both Del Piero and Toni headed wide.

Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont made a one-handed save to deny Toni's header from Del Piero's corner having previously anticipated Giorgio Chiellini inside the box. Disaster soon struck for Italy after the break. Gianluca Zambrotta's back header towards Buffon was intercepted by a determined Mutu, who fired past the goalkeeper. It did not take long for Donadoni's men to hit back.

Chiellini latched onto Del Piero's corner and headed towards the far post where an unmarked Panucci fired into the back of the net.

The goal inspired the Italians, who surged forward more aggressively but failed to find the finishing touch.

In the 73rd minute, Grosso made a vital tackle on substitute Banel Nicolita as he threatened to break clear.

At the other end, Lobont made a spectacular save from De Rossi's flying header. Italy continued to surge forward but their efforts to clinch their first win on Swiss soil proved no avail.

And they have Buffon to thank for keeping their Euro 2008 hopes alive, after he kept out Mutu's late penalty with an agile save which saw the ball rebound off hand and foot before heading out for a corner.

Romania coach Victor Piturca also believed Italy were fortunate to clinch a point. "Italy had a lucky escape," he said. "Maybe Mutu was a little bit overwhelmed by Buffon being a top-class goalkeeper.

"But these things happen and it will not be the first time nor the last time that a player has his spot-kick saved. I am actually more angry about how we conceded Italy's equaliser than about Mutu's penalty kick."

Piturca was nevertheless satisfied with the result, which sees his team remain unbeaten in the tournament having held France to a goalless draw on Monday.

"This is a good result for the Romanian team," he said. "We have played against the world champions and against the World Cup runners-up and we have two points.

"We still have chances to qualify."

Romania take on Holland in their final group game on Tuesday without midfielder Mirei Radoi.

Radoi was substituted in the 25th minute after colliding in the air with an Italian player. "Apparently he will need to undergo eye surgery and he has a broken nose too. He will not be able to play the next game," said Piturca.

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Camoranesi (Ambrosini 85), Pirlo, De Rossi, Del Piero (Quagliarella 77), Perrotta (Cassano 58), Toni. Subs not used: Amelia, De Sanctis, Gamberini, Barzagli, Gattuso, Di Natale, Borriello, Aquilani, Materazzi. Booked: Pirlo, De Rossi.

Romania: Lobont, Contra, Tamas, Goian, Rat, Radoi (Dica 25), Petre (Nicolita 59), Codrea, Chivu, Mutu (Cocis 88), Daniel Niculae. Subs not used: Popa, Stancioiu, Marica, Sapunaru, Ghionea, Moti, Marius Niculae, Cristea, Radu. Booked: Mutu, Chivu, Goian.

from: http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/