Croatia 0 Italy 0, April 28th 1999

This low key friendly attracted less that 15,000 to the national stadium in Zagreb and the two teams gave an uninspired show.

The lateness of the fixture in the European season always threatened to blunt any sharp edge the coaches wished to introduce to their formations and tactics and the game petered out into a show of mutual respect.

The two gifted sides that took the field provided little excitement but this draw held some interest for the purist. Both coaches proved how well they can organise a defence and Italy seldom looked like yielding the initiative to a home side who showed the better touches in possession.

Italian coach Zoff expressed his satisfaction with the result after the game but his side showed little attacking prowess despite fielding their now first choice pairing of Inzaghi and Vieri up front. The Italians better performers were in midfield with defensive types like Albertini and Ambrosini providing good protection for the back line but not much supply for the front runners.

Croatia were without their injured captain Zvonimir Boban and his recent outstanding form was missed.

The nearest either side came to hitting the net was an excellent header from Paolo maldini on his 100th appearance for the national side.

New Inter Milan signing Christian Panucci curled the ball in from the left for the AC Milan captain to outjump defenders but direct the ball against the frame of the Croat goal.