There were three changes to the starting line-up from Friday’s clash with Belgium. As usual, captain Buffon started between the sticks, whilst the back four consisted of Darmian, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini. Florenzi and El Shaarawy started on the wings, with Marchisio and Soriano in central midfield, and Pellè and Eder once again together up front.
There was a minute’s silence observed before the start of the game, with both sides wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the victims of the Paris terror attacks and the nightclub fire in Bucharest. It was a touching moment for both sides and the 23,000 spectators at the Stadio Dall’Ara. Italy got off to a completely different start from Friday’s game against Belgium. Buffon saved from Torje early on, but Romania took the lead a few minutes later. Striker Stancu took advantage of a defensive mix-up and slid the ball past Buffon into the bottom corner.  
Italy were thrown off somewhat by Romania’s goal and were unable to respond initially. Pellè had a chance from a corner on 23 minutes, but his glancing header went wide of the far post. Romania, who were retaining the ball well, struggled when Italy worked the ball out to the wingers, such as they did in the 39th minute, when Eder fed El Shaarawy in the box, but his effort was saved by Romania goalkeeper Tatarusanu. Italy kept pushing in the final stages of the first half, with Marchisio trying his luck from distance, but his shot went over the bar, whilst Swiss referee Jaccottet turned down an Italy penalty shout for a foul on Eder.
Italy took to the pitch far more determined in the second half, netting the equaliser in the 55th minute. After a foul by Grigore on Eder, the referee pointed to the spot, and Marchisio stepped up to emphatically convert the resulting penalty, his first goal for the Azzurri since he netted against England in the 2014 World Cup. Conte then decided to make three substitutions in the 60th minute: Montolivo, Gabbiadini and Okaka came on for Soriano, Eder and Pellè. Gabbiadini didn’t take long to get involved, spurning a good chance in the 63rd minute, but he didn’t need long to get his goal as he headed in a Marchisio cross just three minutes later.  
At this stage, Italy were well in the ascendency. The Azzurri made two further changes, bringing on Sirigu and Parolo for Buffon and Marchisio respectively. El Shaarawy had another good chance in the 76th minute but was unable to convert, and Italy’s sixth and final change saw him replaced by Candreva. Having made all their allocated substitutions, Italy were forced to end the game with ten men when Gabbiadini had to leave the pitch through injury. Romania then looked to find the equaliser, which they managed with two minutes left on the clock. Andone successfully smashed in the rebound after Sirigu saved a header from Chiriches.   ]]>