Euro 2012: Italy 1-1 Croatia - Wasteful Italy leave questions for Prandelli

ITALY coach Cesare Prandelli has questioned his players’ lack of a killer instinct and their fitness levels in the wake of another draw in Euro 2012.

Italy - Pirlo (39); Croatia - Mandzukic (72)

The Azzurri dominated the opening 45 minutes of the Group C clash with Croatia, creating a number of chances before deservedly taking a 39th-minute lead courtesy of Andrea Pirlo’s stunning free-kick.

Italy, however, lacked the same intensity after the interval and conceded an equaliser 18 minutes from time as Mario Mandzukic made it three goals in two games with a poacher’s finish in off the right-hand post.

It now leaves Italy knowing they have to beat the Republic of Ireland on Monday if they are to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Prandelli said: “You need to be more clinical in front of goal, show more determination when you get in their half and get near their goal. If you can’t win the game, you don’t kill it off then you are going to have regrets.”

Prandelli said fitness was to blame for their second-half performance, adding: “We do struggle, there is a drop in our level at the 60th minute.”

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic criticised referee Howard Webb, believing the Englishman failed to spot a penalty when Nikica Jelavic went down in the area under a challenge from Giorgio Chiellini. Bilic said: “I’m sure that was a clear penalty on Jelavic, and the referee was not good.”