Gritty Italy grind out victory

Dominik Oliver reports from Stuttgart

Germany 0-1 Italy
In a highly entertaining international friendly match in Stuttgart's sold-out Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Italy beat Germany 1-0, having profited from an inspired performance by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Entertaining football
Despite many experts' prediction of a careful, tactical match, the two teams provided a very entertaining first half, in which the Italians always looked slightly more likely to score. The Italian trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri repeatedly caused Germany's back-four problems.

Vieri strikes
The three forwards were fielded together for the first time since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and soon proved why they are regarded as one of the most dangerous offensive lineups in international football. Del Piero's run down the left flank and the ensuing quick passing between Totti and Vieri allowed the Internazionale FC talisman to score with an unstoppable ten-metre shot in the 17th minute.

Goal disallowed
Gaining confidence from the early lead, the Italian attackers continued to pressure Germany's defence and they soon had the ball in the net again. After some excellent approach play, Del Piero thought he had scored, only to be flagged offside. The rest of the first half saw an open contest, with Germany resisting an Italian side growing stronger by the minute. The home team had a number of free-kicks in promising positions, but could not trouble Buffon with their long-range efforts.

Rehmer gaffe
The second half started exactly like the first had ended, although Italy still enjoyed the upper hand. That nearly told on 54 minutes, when German substitute Marko Rehmer narrowly avoided turning a cross from the right into his own net.

Totti's chance
Typically, Germany never gave up and kept the match open, but a mistake by Sebastian Kehl could have ended their hopes in the 57th minute. He gave the ball away cheaply and Totti rounded Oliver Kahn outside the penalty box, only for Rehmer to make a crucial interception.

German comeback
Germany were not disheartened and applied some serious pressure throughout the second half. Miroslav Klose and Jens Jermies went close, before Klose was tackled in the box by Alessio Tacchinardi on 75 minutes. Klose appealed for a penalty, but the referee ruled the tackle as fair and booked Klose.

Italy confident
Italy will now be filled with confidence for their forthcoming UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers against Wales at home on 6 September and Serbia and Montenegro away four days later. Germany, meanwhile, travel to Iceland and entertain Scotland over the same two dates.