| Croatia ruined Roberto Donadoni's Azzurri debut with a 2-0 result in Livorno and seven players picking up their first caps. At least the Coach can look to superstition, as Marcello Lippi also began his Italy career with a 2-0 defeat against Iceland.
The former Livorno boss made his international bow in his old hunting ground, even if a small section of the Stadio Picchi crowd had threatened to protest against the Calciopoli scandal and the FIGC, watching the game in almost silence save for chants in favour of the Amaranto. It was also the final match with three stars on the Azzurri shirt.
Donadoni left the World Cup winners at home, save for goalkeeper Marco Amelia, and picked a squad of new faces and veterans who hadn't worn this jersey in a while. There were four debutants in the starting 11 - Tommaso Rocchi, Gennaro Del Vecchio, Christian Terlizzi and Giulio Falcone.
The 4-3-3 system is a very attacking one and Italy had the first chance after eight minutes, but local hero Cristiano Lucarelli couldn't dribble past Knezevic on a Rocchi pass. Moments later, Fabio Liverani threaded through for Rocchi and the Lazio man's angled drive was well saved by Pletikosa's knee.
Rocchi spun round inside the area on a Liverani free kick and fired inches over from a tight angle. Sampdoria midfielder Del Vecchio was closed down before he could latch on to a Giorgio Chiellini assist, while Modric drilled off target from distance.
The Croatian defence was a little unsure and Massimo Ambrosini, who was wearing the captain's armband, fought hard to win back possession and send Rocchi clear, but his angled drive was beaten away.
Rocchi was determined to make his mark on his debut and a low strike skimmed the upright. Amelia was fortunate when a missile from ex-Perugia man Milan Rapajc was intercepted by Ivan Klasnic.
However, it was Croatia who took the lead against the run of play after 28 minutes. Eduardo da Silva, a Brazilian naturalised for the Croatian squad, rose between the two central defenders to nod in a Seric cross from the left. Donadoni rebuked Liverani after the goal, as he had given the ball away in midfield to create the chance.
The Azzurri fought back and Lucarelli's first-time effort was blocked. It may have been a friendly, but a heated scuffle broke out after 34 minutes sparked by a Srna foul on Del Vecchio and Liverani diving in to 'defend' his teammate. All the parties involved, including Terlizzi, were booked.
There was another Lucarelli shot and Del Vecchio's penalty appeals for a tussle with Knezevic, but once again Croatia hit the back of the net on the stroke of half-time.
Amelia only parried a dipping long-range effort from Rapajc and Modric was ready to tap the rebound in off the underside of the crossbar. Srna was perhaps fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a late tackle on Del Vecchio.
Donadoni made changes at half-time in this experimental friendly match. Chievo winger Franco Semioli replaced Cagliari's Mauro Esposito for his debut cap, while the Croats made three substitutions. Ambrosini lashed his attempt wide and Pletikosa beat Lucarelli to the ball from a deflected Semioli cross.
Liverani's chipped pass found the substitute, whose shot let him down, and Lucarelli again threatened from close range on an assist from the Chievo star.
Yet the Croatians were dangerous whenever they tried to push forward and Terlizzi did well to prod Eduardo's finish out for a corner after a Klasnic backheel. Substitute Petric also drilled over.
Rocchi and Liverani made way for David Di Michele and Angelo Palombo. Semioli kept peppering the penalty area with crosses, Lucarelli nodding over under pressure, but the Livorno striker stepped aside for Palermo's Andrea Caracciolo.
Modric almost made it 3-0 when he dribbled past two defenders inside the area and Amelia fingertipped his curling finish out from under the bar. Ex-Cagliari midfielder Massimo Gobbi, now at Fiorentina, also earned his first cap in place of Ambrosini.
Di Michele went close to a consolation goal, his acrobatic overhead kick going just wide from a deflected cross and curling inches wide in the late stages. The final change saw Antonio Di Natale come on for Del Vecchio, making his fifth appearance, but Croatia could've rounded out the scoreline had Balaban's shot not been deflected past the post.
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