Italy struggled to a draw in Lithuania despite the knowledge that a win in Kaunas would have booked their place in the 2002 World Cup. The Azzurri showed great difficulty in their build-up play and suffered under the brunt of the more physical and determined local players.
The first half was particularly poor as Lithuania almost scored in the first minute were it not for some desperate defending from Gianluigi Buffon and Paolo Maldini on Dziaukstas’ close-range effort. As for Italy, only a solo effort from Alessandro Del Piero was fingertipped over the bar. There was hardly any play on the wings and the central attacks became rather predictable.
The Azzurri seemed more inventive after the break but aside from a good save on Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri’s goal ruled out for a push, there was little to report. In fact, Jankauskas turned his angled drive inches wide after charging past both Alessandro Nesta and Maldini.
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Lithuania: Stauce; Gleveckas, Skarbalius, Dziaukstas, Stankevicius, Zutautas; Morinas, Razanauskas (Narbekovas 88), Mikalajunas; Jankauskas, Poskus (Semberas 84)
Italy: Buffon; Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini; Zambrotta (Coco 82), Tommasi, Tacchinardi, Pancaro; Totti (Fiore 88); Vieri, Del Piero (Inzaghi 60)
Ref: Van der Ende (HOL)
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