Italy vs. Croatia: Winners and Losers from Euro 2016 Qualifier
Italy and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw in Milan on Sunday evening in the Group H qualifying fixture for Euro 2016.
The away team were by far the more positive and impressive outfit, though they fell behind to Antonio Candreva's low strike after 10 minutes. Ivan Perisic equalised soon after and although Croatia had several chances to claim all three points—notably through the same player in the closing stages—the game will probably be more talked about due to off-field problems, as flares and fireworks were thrown and caused a stoppage in play.
Here are all our winners and losers from the fixture as both teams remained unbeaten in qualifying.
Loser: Gigi Buffon
1 of 5
He might be closing in on 150 caps for the Italian national team, but Gianluigi Buffon's performance just went to show that even the very best players have off days.
The Italian No. 1 was horribly at fault for Croatia's equaliser, letting Perisic's low shot squirm under his body as he tried to get down to make a save. He flapped at corners and crosses in the first half, too, parrying one simple effort around the post for a corner which almost led to another goal and looking far away from his usual commanding and composed self.
Buffon was better as the game went on, certainly, but he still would have been thankful to see Perisic's late shot fly just wide of his far post, as he certainly wasn't going to be making the save.
Winner: Marcelo Brozovic
2 of 5
Croatia's impressive performance stemmed from two facets of their game: a willingness to work hard and press high up the field and a composure and technical capacity when in possession in the middle.
Marcelo Brozovic was in the midst of it all, the lesser name among three in midfield for Croatia—Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic being the others—but certainly one of the hardest working and more consistent during the game.
Challenges were hard but fair from the youngster, while his passing was superb and incisive. He was subbed late on, and Italy soon found a little more space to play through as a result.
Loser: Antonio Conte
3 of 5
Antonio Conte might have enjoyed a good run of results since taking over as Italy boss, but his tactics were wrong from the off against Croatia; a handful of individuals never looked like being capable of winning the game, and he failed entirely to find a remedy during the 90 minutes.
The 3-5-2 system he started with saw his team cede possession and territory—a problem throughout the entire game that his substitutions and tactical switches did not come close to solving.
His front pairing of Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza was lacking in ability, service and pace, while the midfield, talented as it may be, did not dominate Croatia at any point in the match. Conte was lucky to see his side escape with a single point from the game, and he will need much better for the return fixture to avoid defeat.
Winner: Domagoj Vida
4 of 5
Whether from set pieces, Italy's infrequent raids forward or late in the game when the home side actually made a few shooting chances, Domagoj Vida was excellent throughout the game in making blocks, anticipating play and bullying Zaza entirely.
The central defender was very quick to step out of his line and make challenges with Italy's frontmen looking isolated and high up the field, knowing there was little risk of another runner darting in behind. He put his body on the line in his own penalty box to ensure shots didn't trouble his goalkeeper, too.
A near faultless display from the centre-back and he epitomised Croatia's work ethic, heart and aggressive intent to win the match.
Loser: Flares, Fireworks and Fans
5 of 5
Two goals but also three stoppages in the game for trouble from the stands.
Flares and fireworks were thrown down, twice causing brief halts to proceedings so the fire department could remove them from the turf. On the third occasion, the referee simply stopped play entirely and moved players to the side of the pitch.
At least a 10-minute stoppage ensued late in the second half before smoke and lit fires were removed, while there was also evidence of police entering among the fans with shields and batons to stop further trouble.
The game did go on, thankfully, but it remains to be seen if that is the end of the trouble caused to either nation by the actions of a few.
