Defense Dominates as Denmark Draws with Italy
June 14, 2004
In a game punctuated by solid defense and neutralized scoring chances, the squad of Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni failed to live up to expectations that they would dominate the Danish.
Instead of melting in a blistering 33 degree Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) heat, the Scandinavians came out fighting and showed from the opening minutes of play that they would not be intimidated.
The Danish held the ball longer than their opponents and Thomas Helveg and Jon Dahl Tomasson kept attacking throughout the match.
Denmark even managed to set the pace for large stretches of the game and threatened Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon on a number of occasions. Buffon could not avoid giving the Danish a couple of corner kicks, but he never failed to make the important saves.
At the other end of the pitch, Danish keeper Thomas Sörensen blunted the attack of Italy's star-studded offense. As Italy tried to increase the pressure at the end of the first half, Sörensen managed two quick saves after rapid shots by Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.
The Italians put together a beautiful combination in the 53rd minute but Gianluca Zambrotta failed to get the goal as his shot rolled just past the post. After another chance by Del Piero was pushed over the crossbar by Sörensen, play on both sides started to slow.
Del Piero was pulled out in the 64th minute for substitute Antonio Cassano as Trapattoni tried to up Italy's attack, but to no avail.
Barring a similar result in the other Group C matchup of Sweden and Bulgaria, the draw will force both teams to win their next matches to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Lineups:
Denmark: Thomas Sörensen; Thomas Helveg, Martin Laursen, Rene Henriksen, Niclas Jensen; Dennis Rommedahl, DanielJensen, Christian Poulsen, Martin Jörgensen; Jon Dahl Tomasson; Ebbe Sand.
Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Christian Panucci, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta; Simone Perrotta, Cristiano Zanetti; Mauro Camoranesi, Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero; Christian Vieri.