Italy 2-2 Romania: Azzurri end calendar year with a draw against impressive Romania

Date: 17th November 2015 at 10:45pm
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Darmian - ItalyItaly drew 2-2 with Romania at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Tuesday night in an international friendly to end the calendar year with just four wins.

Bogdan Stancu put the visitors ahead early on but Claudio Marchisio converted a penalty in the second half before Manolo Gabbiadini doubled his side’s tally soon afterwards, but Florin Andone was there for the Romanians to deny the home team a victory at the end.

Things didn’t get off to the perfect start for the Italians, with Romania taking the lead with just seven minutes on the clock after Stancu worked his way through the defence and slotted the ball past Gianluigi Buffon.

Just before the 40-minute mark, though, Stephan El Shaarawy had a chance to have an accurate shot on goal from a cross but failed as the ball was quickly taken by Ciprian Tatarusanu in the Romanian goal.

Ten minutes into the second half and Antonio Conte’s men were given some hope, when Eder was dragged down in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot before Claudio Marchisio perfectly smashed it into the top corner.

Substitute Manolo Gabbiadini then had an effort on goal with a header of his flying just over the bar from a cross, showing how the Italian threat wasn’t stopping after finding the equaliser.

The Azzurri then found their second and took the lead for the first time in the match with another header from the 23-year-old, this time the ball found it’s way into the back of a half-guarded net following a cross from Marchisio.

In the final few minutes of the game, though, Italy’s hard work was thrown away as substitute Salvatore Sirigu couldn’t hold on to the ball and allowed Florin Andone to power home from close range.

 

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