Italy up and running
Friday, September 3, 2004
Article summary
Italy 2-0 Norway Alberto Aquilani and Gianpaolo Pazzini score as the holders start with a win.
Article body
Aquilani opener
Italy forwards Rolando Bianchi and Gianpaolo Pazzini troubled the Norway defence throughout, while Alberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo pulled the strings in midfield. The Azzurrini went ahead with a shot from 20 metres by Aquilani after 19 minutes.
Bianchi sent off
Pazzini doubled the advantage after 39 minutes, heading in a cross from Alessandro Rosina. In the second half Marco Donadel was denied by the woodwork as he got his head to another Rosina cross. However, Italy ended the match with ten men after Bianchi was booked for a second time after shooting at goal when referee Dejan Stanisic had already stopped play.