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World Cup Qualifier - 24/3/01
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Romania 0-2 Italy
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Bucharest (Romania)
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Italy are on the verge of World Cup qualification after a convincing 2-0 win in Romania which sees them extend their lead at the top of their Group. The Azzurri grabbed a crucial three points on an appalling pitch in Bucharest thanks to a brace from Filippo Inzaghi.
Coach Giovanni Trapattoni had predicted the Romanians would rely on their physicality and commented: "We can’t play the violin where a bass drum would be more appropriate." The pitch was already muddy, but the local groundsmen put extra water on the field before kick-off, allegedly in order to make it more difficult for the Italians to play ball-to-feet.
Stefano Fiore replaced the suspended Francesco Totti behind Juventus front two Alessandro Del Piero and Inzaghi. The formation was essentially a 3-5-2, but Giuseppe Pancaro stepped back into defence when necessary.
Injuries had hit the side in the run-up to the game as Marco Delvecchio, Gennaro Gattuso, Christian Vieri and Gigi Di Biagio were all forced to pull out. Romania also lost Adrian Mutu with a knee injury and Christian Chivu fell foul of the flu just before the game.
Demetrio Albertini, who was not 100 per cent fit, went close early on for Italy but his long-range effort was fingertipped out by ‘keeper Stelea. Minutes later Gianluigi Buffon turned Viorel Moldovan’s shot around the post.
Then Dorinel Munteanu’s header struck the outside of the woodwork before Italy opened the scoring with Inzaghi, although his shot took a cruel deflection off Munteanu on its way into the Romanian net.
The Juventus striker then saw his snaking run blocked by the ‘keeper but an Inzaghi-Del Piero combination allowed the Azzurri to double their lead. Stelea did well to fingertip Del Piero’s curling shot away, but it fell into the path of Inzaghi who nodded into the open goal.
After the break the Romanians tried to come forward but Italy were always ready to strike on the break. Del Piero beat the ‘keeper but Prodan cleared off the line before Inzaghi could tap in his cutback. Serban was left unmarked by the far post mere minutes after coming on as a substitute, but he incredibly fired wide.
Italy are now in a commanding position in Group 8 with a five-point lead, after Hungary were held at home by Lithuania. Romania’s loss was their first at home for six years while the Azzurri victory was their first on Romanian soil since 1967.
Coach Giovanni Trapattoni was delighted with the result. He said: "I wouldn’t say this was our best performance. We suffered a bit at first but then our character, confidence and conviction came out. The defence confirmed itself as exceptional, just as they had in Euro 2000, but I can say that we have truly found Del Piero again.
"We must now think about Wednesday’s game with Lithuania and conserve our energy, then we can look forward to the World Cup."
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Romania: Stelea; Filipescu, Prodan, Radoi (Serban 70), Contra, Codrea, D.Munteanu, Galca (C.Munteanu 58), Ilie, Niculae, Moldovan (Ganea 77)
Italy: Buffon; Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini; Zambrotta, Albertini, Tommasi, Pancaro; Fiore (Tacchinardi 60); Inzaghi (Montella 85), Del Piero
Ref: Fandel (Germany)
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