Hosts and holders share spoils

By Mark Chaplin at the Brügglifeld Stadium

Hosts Switzerland and UEFA European Under-19 Championship holders Italy shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw in the opening Group A match of this year's final round in Aarau.

Salatic equaliser
A tightly-fought contest saw Brescia Calcio striker Andrea Alberti give Italy the lead on the stroke of half-time, but a Swiss revival after the break culminated in Grasshopper-Club defender Veroljub Salatic earning a draw in front of 6,100 spectators.

Defending champions
The Italians, looking to hold on to the title they won for the first time in Liechtenstein last year, dominated the early exchanges in bright sunshine, and Alberti sent a glancing header wide as the hosts took time to settle. Another Italian chance went begging after nine minutes, when Tonino Sorrentino found space on the edge of the area only to shoot well over.

Burki close
However, the industrious Swiss gradually warmed to their task, skipper Sandro Burki shooting wide from long range on a pitch made greasy by afternoon showers. Italian full-back Francesco Battaglia was then booked after 15 minutes for pulling down Slavisa Dugic in another promising Swiss raid.

Chance spurned
Italy should have taken the lead on 23 minutes. Devis Nossa was left unmarked from Battaglia's free-kick, but headed centimetres wide when well placed. As play ebbed and flowed, Dugic shot over for the Swiss, and Sorrentino curled a free-kick past the upright at the other end.

Alberti opener
The dangerous Alberti then brought a fine diving save from Swiss goalkeeper Swen König, but the front man had better luck after 45 minutes. Taking advantage of a swift counterattack, Alberti turned inside two defenders on the edge of the box to beat König with a low left-foot drive.

Swiss on top
Italy had shaded the first half on chances created but had to contend with a spell of Swiss pressure after the interval, full-back Arnaud Bühler coming forward to head a Burki corner wide at the far post.

Several opportunities
Italy keeper Emiliano Viviano dived to punch away Fabrizio Zambrella's swerving free-kick as the Swiss remained on the offensive, working intensely to find a way back into the game. Substitute Guilherme Afonso headed wide before the impressive playmaker Burki prodded narrowly past the post after good work by striker Goran Antic.

Canini denied
Still the Swiss ploughed forward hopefully, Antic heading Bühler's cross well wide, but they had to be alert against the occasional Italian breakaway - skipper Michele Canini finding the net on 64 minutes, only to be ruled offside. Soon after, Valon Behrami was booked for the home side for a foul on Antonio Nocerino before the hosts finally got their reward after 72 minutes. Reto Ziegler swung in a free-kick, and Salatic bundled the ball over the line at the near post amid a clutch of Italian defenders.

Point apiece
Bühler was booked for pulling down substitute Liborio Bongiovanni, but Switzerland kept on top with time running out, Salatic firing wide from 25 metres. Nocerino was cautioned as the champions held on anxiously under constant fire. In the end, both sides had to settle for a point, with the enthusiastic Swiss perhaps the happier side after a stirring second-half effort.