• Print
  • Read Speaker
Men's Under-21 Team

Italy hold firm to deny Serbia

By James Masters - Tuesday, 16 June, 2009

Italy have goalkeeper and woodwork to thank for 0-0 draw.

Italy 0-0 Serbia
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
7.45pm, Tuesday 16 June 2009
Helsingborg, Sweden

 Italy survived a late scare as Pierluigi Casiraghi’s men claimed a precious point from their opening game of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship against 2007 runners-up Serbia.

The Italians were indebted to goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and the woodwork as Serbia somehow failed to find a way past the Azzurri backline.

Juventus playmaker Sebastian Giovinco wasted Italy’s best opportunity mid-way through the second-half, before Consiglie saved brilliantly from Nenand Tomovic to keep his side level.

And when Serbia did eventually find a way past the Italian keeper, the post was on hand to prevent Gojko Kacar’s spectacular overhead kick from nestling into the corner of the net.

Led by Manchester United starlet Zoran Tosic, Serbia continued to bombard the Italy backline but failed to make the breakthrough as both teams were made to settle for the draw.

After a tight and turgid first-half, the game burst into life just after the hour mark as Giovinco raced through onto Luca Cigarini’s through ball only to fire straight at the advancing Zeljko Brkic.

That miss looked set to prove costly as Serbia created two golden opportunities to break the deadlock within seconds of each other.

A corner from the left caused panic inside the Italian defence and only a stupendous save from Consiglie prevented Tomovic from hammering home from point blank range.

There was more drama to come soon after as Kacar produced an exquisite overhead kick from the resulting corner which smashed against the far post and away to safety.

And despite Serbia's determination to claim a late winner, Italy held out to take a share of the spoils.