MATCH 05 REPORT : ITALY DENIED BY DANES

Italy and Denmark had to settle for a share of the spoils in their opening Group C encounter in Guimarães, with some inspired goalkeeping ensuring the game remained goalless.

Crucial saves
Denmark's Thomas Sørensen produced a stunning double save to deny Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti before half-time, while Gianluigi Buffon emulated his opposite number to brilliantly keep out efforts in quick succession from Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl in the second half of an enthralling encounter in the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.

Positive selection
Italy lined up in an attacking formation, with skipper Totti playing just behind Christian Vieri while Juventus FC team-mates Del Piero and Mauro Camoranesi occupied the flanks. Denmark coach Morten Olsen drafted Daniel Jensen into the midfield to replace the suspended Thomas Gravesen and handed Rommedahl a start on the right wing in the absence of Jesper Grønkjær, who had stayed in Denmark following a family bereavement.

Quick to settle
AC Milan forward Tomasson lined up in a deep-lying role behind striker Ebbe Sand and saw plenty of the ball early on as Denmark settled the quicker. Rommedahl's seventh-minute corner evaded the whole Italy defence before reaching Martin Jørgensen but the Udinese Calcio winger failed to connect. Moments later Rommedahl jinked inside Gianluca Zambrotta

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