New-look Italy earn draw

Greece 1-1 Italy
Italy showed their ability ahead of this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a friendly draw in Athens.

New attack
The only Group A side in action today were without key players including Daniele Bonera and Emiliano Moretti. In the absence of another, Parma AC forward Alberto Gilardinoa who has scored eight goals in 16 matches at this level, Andrea Caracciolo linked up with Giuseppe Sculli in attack.

Penalty exchange
Greece, who will take part in the summer's Olympics Games as hosts along with the top three nations in the European Under-21 Championship, took a deserved lead after 30 minutes when striker Dimitrios Salpigidis converted a penalty. Italy equalised in similar fashion just before the break, Sculli scoring the spot-kick.

Quintet make debut
Claudio Gentile made nine substitutions in the second half, allowing Cesare Bovo, Alessandro Rosina, Marco Donadel, Giandomenico Mesto and Simone Del Nero to make their debuts. Italy finished strongly, creating several chances but failing to beat Greece goalkeeper Giorgos Abaris.

Gentile satisfied
Gentile said: "We played a good match and I am really happy with the performances of the new players. It was a good test for us. The next friendly against Portugal will be even more important. I hope I will have all my players available so I can test them against such a strong side."