Italy coach Cesare Prandelli insists he’s “not angry” that his side were unable to get the better of Croatia in Thursday’s 1-1 European Championships draw despite dominating the game.
The Azzurri looked the better side throughout the 90 minutes, particularly the opening half, with Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick putting them ahead, before Milan Mandzukic rescued a draw on 72 minutes for the Croatians, who move to four points, while Italy have two.
“I’m not angry. Of course we are a bit annoyed because a side that plays football and creates chances needs to kill off the game. Football is rather unique in that way, because just one cross can ruin everything you have built up over the course of a game, so we have a lot of regrets,” Prandelli told reporters after the game.
He continued: “When you’re on top in a game and have territorial supremacy, you need to kill the game off, because if you don’t, all that it takes is a cross or a deflection and it can ruin all you have done. You need to have more determination and be a bit more clinical when you get a sight of goal.
“We can analyse it as much as we want, but we played against a very physical side, who are great competitors. But we were better than they are in footballing terms, so if you don’t kill it off, of course you will have regrets.”
Italy’s next game is against Ireland, while Croatia meet Spain, who are also on four points after two games, but with the best goal difference.
Prandelli added: “We are still in this – we still think we can get through, we are mathematically still in it, but we have missed an opportunity here.”
Meanwhile, Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was coy on his side’s hopes of progressing, but was happy with their position.
“I don’t want to talk about our next match against Spain,” he said. “We have loads of time to analyse them, but after two matches this is a really good situation; four points and I am really optimistic about the next game and the whole tournament.
“Six points would have been even better, but this is pretty good.”