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Three players made their debuts as Antonio Di Natale and Marco Materazzi's own goal sealed a 1-1 friendly draw with Turkey. This was Italy's final official match of 2006.
Roberto Donadoni tested a few new faces in this international match, as Francesco Totti, Alessandro Nesta, Alessandro Del Piero, Gennaro Gattuso, David Di Michele, Simone Perrotta and Vincenzo Iaquinta were out injured, so Cristian Brocchi made his Azzurri debut at the age of 30. Daniele De Rossi sat in front of the defence. Turkey Coach Fatih Terim - formerly of Milan and Fiorentina - and ex-Inter duo Emre Belozoglu and Hakan Sukur were familiar with Italian football.
The friendly was organised at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia in honour of Giacinto Facchetti in his home town of Bergamo. Before kick-off his widow was presented with a gold symbol of the legendary Number 3 shirt before kick-off.
Mauro German Camoranesi had the first chance after three minutes with a wayward shot, but Alberto Gilardino really threatened moments later. He volleyed Brocchi's cross with the inside of his foot and Rustu Recber flew to fingertip it out from under the crossbar.
There was bad news for the Turkish shot-stopper, who fell awkwardly on to his knee when punching the ball and had to be stretchered off in clear pain. Substitute Volkan's first touch was a save on Antonio Di Natale's deflected effort from the edge of the area.
Another Di Natale attempt from distance took a touch off defenders and the Udiese forward's powerful volley was charged down.
Turkey sat back for the first 25 minutes, but slowly emerged from their shell and Gigi Buffon comfortably smothered a Hamit Altintop shot on the bounce.
Yet it was under the most pressure that Italy broke through with a comical goal. 'Keeper Demirel Volkan aimed his clearance straight at Gilardino and the ball ricocheted back into the path of Di Natale to slot into an empty net!
The Azzurri returned the favour with an own goal to equalise only a few minutes later. Ibrahim Uzulmez's low ball into the six-yard box was intercepted before it could reach Hakan Sukur, but only because Marco Materazzi turned it into his own net.
Gilardino almost scored a fine goal on the stroke of half-time when he sprung the offside trap on Di Natale's pass and the delicate lob was just wide of the open goal.
Donadoni made several changes at the break, introducing Marco Amelia, Cristian Zaccardo, Alberto Aquilani, Emiliano Bonazzoli and Andrea Barzagli for Buffon, Massimo Oddo, Fabio Cannavaro, Stefano Mauri and Gilardino. It was a senior debut for Roma's Aquilani, promoted from the Under-21 side, and Sampdoria striker Bonazzoli.
Gianluca Zambrotta drilled wide of the near post from a Di Natale backheel. Soon after, substitute Zaccardo's glancing header from a De Rossi free kick was off target.
Ex-Inter man Emre created a good chance for himself by sprinting into the area past two tackles to fire on to the near upright, although Amelia seemed to have the angle covered.
Simone Barone and Tommaso Rocchi replaced Brocchi and Camoranesi. Turkey were about to score on 65 minutes, as Arda ran down the flank and floated in a cross for the unmarked Halil Altintop, but the finish as relatively weak and allowed Materazzi to perform a goalline clearance with Amelia already beaten.
A trademark De Rossi long-range strike was over the bar before he and Zambrotta made way for Manuel Pasqual and Angelo Palombo, handing Materazzi the captain's armband.
Di Natale took advantage of another poor clearance from goalkeeper Volkan, bringing a save out of the shot-stopper with his angled drive.
Substitute Pasqual was unlucky, as within minutes of coming on he was left with a bloody nose after an accidental clash of heads.
Tumer drilled a left-foot strike over from a corner kick and Di Natale again tested the shaky Volkan from distance. The not irresistible dipping shot went through his arms and was stopped only by his stomach as he crouched down.
The Azzurri had a free kick from the right corner of the area that Materazzi whipped into the centre, cleared with some difficulty.
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