Euro 2008: Italy stay alive as Buffon saves the day

Zurich: Facing Romania's defensive wall, Italy must have felt the frustration they have caused countless opponents over the years - the frustration of "catenaccio."

Against a tightly organised Romania defence of six, seven and even eight men, the World Cup champions struggled as France before them to carve out clear scoring chances.

The Azzurri drew 1-1, but so easily could have lost had Gianluigi Buffon not stopped a late penalty from Adrian Mutu.

"I expected Romania to play like this, because I saw the way they played against France," Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said.

"They are very good defensively. They are very good at containing. They are very good at closing down space," Donadoni said.

Italy managed only a scrambled goal against their unfancied opponents, who move into second place in Group C, the most difficult of the European Championship, following their scoreless draw with France.

Italy have only one point, having lost their opener 0-3 to the Netherlands. They will realistically have to beat France, whom they vanquished in the World Cup final two years ago in Germany, to advance to the quarter-finals.

The Romanians could have been accused of stealing a page out of Italian playbooks of yesteryear: there was the 1990 World Cup team that did not give up a goal until being eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals; the side four years later that held Brazil scoreless for 120 minutes before losing the final on penalty kicks; the Euro 2000 team that beat Netherlands on penalties after stifling them with nine men.

If coach Victor Piturca's strategy wasn't catenaccio - Italian for "lock down" - maybe it could be called "zid" - Romanian for "wall."

Romania started with Gabriel Tamas and towering Dorin Goian in the back, the latter to contend with the 1.93-meter Luca Toni.

Patrolling just in front were Christian Chivu and Mirel Radoi, who are both equally adept as center backs.

Paul Codrea, nominally the attacking midfielder, made a great goal-line tackle to deny Simone Perrotta.

Florentin Petre was the right wing, but tracked back so often to mark the impressive Fabio Grosso down Italy's left it was difficult to differentiate the attacker from the defender.

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Romania became a bit less defensive after Radoi was taken off with a head injury and replaced by Nicolae Dica after 25 minutes.

But besides an early shot from Mutu snuffed out by Buffon, their chances came off set pieces. On offence, wingbacks Cosmin Contra and Razvan Rat rarely ventured far beyond the midfield line.

But like those Italy teams of history, Romania were happy to let their opponent make mistakes, such as the terrible backward header by Gianluca Zambrotta in the 55th minute that allowed Mutu to sneak and drill a shot beyond Buffon.

Italy only needed one minute to equalise, with Christian Panucci tapping in after Giorgio Chiellini rose highest off a corner to make a great headed pass.

On a day when Romania's defence stifled the beautiful game, it was the most Italy could hope for.

And if Buffon had not saved the blushes of Panucci, who clumsily clotheslined striker Marius Niculae to concede a penalty, Italian fans might already be on their way home.

"We're creating more chances than at the World Cup," Zambrotta said. "We're more offensive, but we haven't been able to score goals."

Italy attacked mainly down the flanks through Grosso and Zambrotta, who sent a number of quality crosses into Toni.

When the big Bayern Munich striker managed to break free of Tamas and Goian, goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont came through with three world-class saves.

The 30-year-old Dinamo Bucharest player came through again with a diving punch-save in the 75th minute after Toni set up a header for Daniele De Rossi and what looked like a certain goal.

Just before halftime, Italy seemed to break through and claim their first lead of the tournament. Perrotta lobbed a pass over the Romania defence that Toni ran onto and headed perfectly into the corner.

But the linesman's flag came up and referee Tom Henning Ovrebo whistled for offside, even though replays showed the 31-year-old striker about a meter behind the last defender when Perrotta passed the ball.

It was that kind of day for Italy.

If the Azzurri fail to find a way to get their offence going against France, it could be that type of tournament.