Di Vaio inspires Italy

Italy 1-0 Romania

Fringe players
The Azzurri fielded a weakened side but had the better chances and deserved to win a low-key game which coach Giovanni Trapattoni used to take a look at some fringe players. The closest Romania came to scoring was an 89th-minute free-kick from Adrian Mutu that home goalkeeper Christian Abbiati pushed wide.

Trapattoni content
After Italy lost 3-1 in Poland on Wednesday, Trapattoni was pleased with the way his makeshift team, without the likes of Christian Vieri and Alessandro Nesta, bounced back. "We created some good chances and played well, especially after the break," said the Italy coach. "They didn't really create many opportunities - congratulations to the whole team."

Few problems
Romania, who unlike the Italians have not qualified for the UEFA European Championship finals in Portugal next year, were also under-strength and posed few problems for Trapattoni's defence in a match played in front of 11,700 spectators.

Sharp effort
Francesco Totti might have done better in the ninth minute when he tried to beat Romania keeper Bogdan Lobont at his near post, and Lobont then did well to keep out a sharp strike from Fabio Bazzani. Romania's only effort of note in the opening 45 minutes came when Daniel Pancu fired a volley just wide as he latched on to a clearance on the edge of the area.

Crisp finish
Antonio Cassano went close with a long-range drive just before the break but it was Juventus FC forward Di Vaio, so prolific as a substitute, who made the decisive breakthrough after racing on to a lofted pass from Totti in the 58th minute. Di Vaio then forced a save out of Lobont after good work from another substitute, Simone Inzaghi, and Andrea Pirlo should have done better when he shot weakly from close range from another Inzaghi pass.