Italy could only muster a 1-1 draw with Croatia on Friday night at the Stadion Poljud, in Group H of Euro 2016 qualifying.
After first missing a penalty, Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring by steering in at the back post following a counter, but Antonio Candreva levelled the scores by dinking a penalty past the goalkeeper.
The Azzurri went into the fixture knowing that an away victory would sent them top of the group at the expense of their opponents, but fell just short of their goal due to some suspect finishing and a torrid opening period.
Despite a stadium completely barren of supporters due to the ban imposed by UEFA, the game burst into immediate life as Croatian schemer Darijo Srna was taken down by the challenge of Italy’s Davide Astori.
Buffon was down quickly to repel Mandzukic’s admittedly lacklustre effort from 12 yards, as the home side wasted a glorious chance to soar clear at the top of the group.
This already smouldering affair transformed into a first-half inferno as Stephan El Shaarawy put the ball in the back of the net, but play was pulled back for offside.
While several Italy players were still protesting the decision, Croatia launched a breakaway which culminated in Mandzukic atoning for his penalty miss by firing past Gianluigi Buffon.
Another counter attack threatened to derail Italy completely, but Ivan Perisic’s cross just evaded Ivica Olic who was ready to pounce.
It took the visitors a long while, around 30 minutes, to finally break free from the spell of Croat dominance, but El Shaarawy couldn’t make the most of the tides turning as his tame shot was collected easily by Danijel Subasic.
Mandzukic was again at the centre of the action as he handled to block Graziano Pelle’s header from an Italy corner, an instinctive error which was punished as Candreva pulled out a panenka penalty with Andrea Pirlo looking on.
At the end of an enthralling first half, Pelle’s well-struck effort was equalled by Subasic’s save.
The second half was for the most part a repetitive story of Italy enjoying the ball, but being unable to break down a Croatia defence who were content to survive primarily on counter attacks.
El Shaarawy could only nod over the crossbar when faced with the chance to direct a header towards goal, while Marcelo Brozovic slashed a volley over the target.
The contrast between the breakneck speed of the first half and the slowed down events of the second was just as noticeable as the horrendous swastika etched onto the turf, a fact reported by Italy to UEFA during the course of the evening.
Magnificent play from Candreva resulted in the ball reaching Andrea Pirlo, who could only send his shot clear of the goal.
A tale of half chances finally concluded with Srna receiving his marching orders for two yellow cards, and with the top end of Group H remaining unchanged, it was undoubtedly a chance spurned in the eyes of Antonio Conte.
