Thursday Sep 29 2005 20:37
Wales had to withstand a barrage of pressure to finish the first half of their Euro 2004 qualifier against Italy in Milan level at 0-0.
After a cagey opening the home side created the first chance when Christian Vieri turned and shot, only for Robert Page to make a vital block.
But it was the Italian keeper who was called into action first when Ryan Giggs latched on to a poor back pass from Alessandro Nesta, only for Gianluigi Buffon to make a smothering block.
A lively period of play followed with the Azzurri controlling midfield but the Wales backline held firm and the home side's only reward was a Vieri header that flew over the bar.
But Wales looked dangerous on the break with Giggs and Craig Bellamy causing the home defence problems with their pace and movement.
An ugly confrontation midway through the half saw finished with Bellamy and Buffon being cautioned, with John Hartson and Christian Panucci fortunate not to join them as tempers started to flare.
Vieri should have given the Azzurri the lead straight afterwards but his tame effort was collected easily by Paul Jones, before Giggs broke clear and fed Hartson who fired over the bar from the edge of the area.
A sustained spell of pressure from the home side just before the break saw Mark Delaney make a crucial block from Filippo Inzaghi, before the AC Milan man fired wide and then over the bar in close succession.
Then Alessandro del Piero broke free from midfield and smashed a long-range effort against the crossbar, with the rebound falling to Vieri who dithered before mis-hitting a shot against the post.
Somehow Mark Hughes' side held on to reach half time goalless.
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