Italy happy to hold off Danes

Denmark 0 Italy 0

The Danes created a host of decent goalscoring opportunities in the Group C opener and might easily have inflicted a defeat on Italy, who finished runners-up four years ago and are considered one of the favourites for success in Portugal.

The Italians, thanks in large to some vital interventions from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, managed to deny the Danes.

“Considering how the game went, I am not disappointed with the draw,” said Trapattoni. “I believe the heat affected us but that is no excuse because Denmark have to suffer the same conditions.

Italy were not without their chances and Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen needed to be in top form to deny the Azzurri. Denmark coach Morten Olsen was proud of his side’s showing but singled out Sorensen for special praise.

“I think it is very important to get something out of the first game,” he said. “I am satisfied with the point we claimed today. Sorensen had a couple of good saves and we had many chances as well.”

Denmark began in confident fashion forcing two half chances in the opening minutes. AC Milan forward John Dahl Tomasson was the first to test Buffon but his long shot proved an easy catch for the Juventus keeper.

In the 16th minute Thomas Helveg’s powerful shot from outside the box was palmed away.

Italy were beginning to get a grip in midfield after Denmark’s whirlwind opening, but Trapattoni’s men still struggled to get through the defence.

Two minutes prior to the break, Sorensen made two spectacular saves from close range shots by Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.

Italy attempted to press forward more aggressively after the break but it was Denmark who yet again proved more dangerous. Two minutes into the half, AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta was forced to block Ebbe Sand’s powerful strike from inside the area.

Shortly afterwards, Gianluca Zambrotta should have goaled when Totti found him unmarked inside the area but his shot went inches wide.

In the 57th minute, Sorensen was forced to make a fine save after Christian Vieri’s powerful header.

Trapattoni finally made two substitutions with AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso replacing Cristiano Zanetti and Roma rising star Antonio Cassano taking Del Piero’s place.

With 67 minutes played, Stefano Fiore replaced Mauro Camoranesi.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen reinforced his midfield with Claus Jensen replacing Sand and Denmark made their second substitution midway through the second-half with Kenneth Perez substituting Martin Jorgensen.

And it was not long before Olsen opted to bring in defender Brian Priske in place of Christian Poulsen.

With 15 minutes remaining, Buffon proved why he is considered one of the best keepers in the world after two great saves from right to left following two consecutive close range shots from Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl.

DENMARK: Sorensen, Niclas Jensen, Henriksen, Laursen, Helveg, Poulsen (Priske 76), Tomasson, Daniel Jensen, Jorgensen (Perez 72), Sand (Claus Jensen 69), Rommedahl.

ITALY: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Nesta, Panucci, Zanetti (Gattuso 57), Perrotta, Del Piero (Cassano 64), Totti, Camoranesi (Fiore 68), Vieri.

Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).