Soriano goes down in some pain after being caught by a fairly late challenge, with Chiellini quick to complain to the referee. Mandzukic goes down at the same time for Croatia, with play briefly fractured.
90'
There are three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half.
89'
Pelle goes down under a challenge from Corluka, gifting Italy the chance to load the box and deliver a telling cross. De Rossi whips the ball in, but Darmian isn't able to make contact and a goal kick is awarded to Subasic.
87'
Huge chance for Croatia! Perisic drives down the left channel, before firing an effort across goal but wide of the far post! Buffon wasn't getting there, but the ball zipped off the turf and into the advertising hoardings.
85'
Only five minutes stands between the away side and a valuable away point, but Vida and Corluka have been forced into some desperate defending of late. El Shaarawy cuts in from the left and tries his luck once again, but drags a half volley horrifically wide of the target.
83'
M. Badelj enters the game and replaces M. Brozović.
Brozovic is withdrawn for the final ten minutes of the game, with Badelj thrown into the fray as a result. With a few tiring legs in a contest which has included midfield battling throughout, the substitute might be a welcome tonic.
82'
Croatia settle back into their rhythm, dominating possession and pressing towards the final third with purpose. Kramaric shoots from range, but Buffon is easily able to collect. Kovac's men are getting back into their stride after the disruption provided by their own fans.
80'
Pelle and Rakitic battle in the centre of midfield, with the former providing a real physical presence in the final third for the Azzurri. Candreva is then brought down by Brozovic, as Italy begin to turn the tide.
78'
Vida makes an important headed block, with Italy taking the initiative since the restart. Croatia's fans could be to blame should Kovac's men succumb to defeat, given how the visitors were dominating before play was suspended.
77'
Play is back underway, with Italy having the first chance! Srna makes a mistake at the back post, allowing for a cross to wriggle through to El Shaarawy, but the Milan forward's attempted half volley is blocked by the Croatia captain, who atones for his previous error.
Minute
Description
76'
The referee leads the two teams down the tunnel, with play suspended for crowd trouble in Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Croatian support are continually setting off flares, with the riot police called in to try and calm things down.
The two teams are forced to wait on the sideline until the crowd trouble is quelled, with Conte cutting a rather frustrated figure on the sideline. Play is suspended for the moment, but be sure to stick around until the match is resumed. Kovac goes for a walk onto the field.
Play will not resume until the stadium's police give the all-clear, due to fans fighting and hurling pyrotechnics onto the playing field.
The players are back out on the field, trying to keep warm and get a touch of the ball. The smoke has dispersed and play should be back underway within the next couple of minutes.
75'
This will lead to play of stoppage time at the end of the half, with the players still waiting for all of the smoke to clear. If the away fans can't behave themselves, the game could be suspended for the players' safety.
73'
Play is interrupted once again, with the Croatian support hurling plenty of flares onto the field of play, engulfing the stadium in smoke. The fire crews are once again called into action, with the referee quick to collect the ball and patiently wait.
71'
Italy are dropping very deep, with Conte's system working in terms of restricting Croatia's possession to non-threatening areas of the field. De Sciglio clips a cross in towards the near post, but Corluka heads clear.
69'
A. Kramarić enters the game and replaces I. Olić.
Olic is withdrawn for the hosts, with Rijeka's Kramaric introduced in his place. After good domestic and Europa League performances, the forward could be the addition required to make Croatia's second-half pressure tell.
68'
El Shaarawy drifts inside from the left-hand side, before unleashing a powerful effort with his stronger foot, but it dips over the crossbar with Subasic very worried! Great effort from the substitute, with Brozovic unable to close him down quickly enough.
67'
Pranjic is brought to ground after gallivanting down the left-hand side, with Soriano the culprit. Italy are being forced into some cynical challenges, as Croatia continue to take the leading role and push for their second goal of the evening.
65'
I. Perišić gets yellow.
Perisic breaks to the edge of the Italy penalty area, before being robbed of possession by Chiellini. The Juve defender looks to counter, but is tugged back by the Croatia wide man, who is given a yellow card as a result.
63'
G. Pellè enters the game and replaces S. Zaza.
Conte rolls the dice once again, replacing Zaza with Pelle. The Southampton striker has been in lethal form in the Premier League this season, and could be the source of a much-needed breakthrough goal for the Azzurri.
62'
Rakitic shoots from 30 yards out, but Buffon is able to collect with ease. Croatia are on top, generating all of the half chances and Italy really aren't looking like the home side whatsoever.
60'
Croatia continue to control the ball, but Zaza provides a threat on the break - though he is subject to continual monitoring from Vida. The away side whip in another free kick in a dangerous area, but Perisic's near-post header sails wide.
58'
Srna is set away down the right-hand side, following a brilliant eye-of-the-needle pass from Rakitic, but the Shakhtar man can't whip in a telling cross. Italy are struggling to up the tempo and Conte might be forced to look to his bench once again.
56'
Italy are staying disciplined and sitting in their shape, with the Azzurri only threatening on sporadic counter attacks. Croatia are dominating possession at the moment, but the absence of Modric is perhaps making Italy harder to break down.
54'
Buffon is being forced into plenty of participation in the second half, not ideal given his earlier mistake. Only ten minutes has passed in the second half, but Conte's men are struggling to craft anything in the way of chances. Croatia still look well on course for a valuable away point.
52'
S. El Shaarawy enters the game and replaces C. Immobile.
Immobile is replaced for the homeside, with El Shaarawy introduced. The Milan forward has improved of late and Conte probably hopes for him to be the catalyst in this match, but for the moment Croatia are holding firm.
50'
The second half has started with a slow tempo, but Srna breaks down the right menacingly and is picked out by a long ball. The captain delivers a low cross, which isn't dealt with at first, before Soriano scrambles a clearance away. Moments later, a Mandzukic header is caught easily by Buffon.
48'
Zaza lets fly from 20 yards out, but Subasic gets down well to his right-hand side to smother the ball. Corluka wasn't out quick enough to close his man down, with this central defensive partnership for Croatia looking rather exploitable.
46'
C. Immobile gets yellow.
We are back underway in the second half at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza! Three points are required for the hosts, which would lead to a fifth consecutive win for the Azzurri, but Croatia aren't looking like giving in easily.
45' +3
Buffon is enraged, after Mandzukic challenged somewhat physically with the Italy goalkeeper, but the referee points for yet another corner regardless. Croatia have had plenty of set piece opportunities in this half, but just haven't been able to convert them into goals.
45' +1
There are four minutes of stoppage time in the first half.
45'
Soriano brings down Brozovic, surrendering another free kick opportunity for Croatia. Buffon is forced into a save as a result, with a close-range header from Corluka palmed aside by the Juventus goalkeeper.
43'
Srna tries his luck from the resulting free kick, after a training ground routine, but the Shakhtar man blasts wide. Zaza breaks towards the edge of the penalty box, but the Sassuolo man is confronted and robbed of the ball with consummate ease. Italy's forwards haven't created much at all.
41'
Conte's system is asking a lot of his midfielders, with Marchisio and Candreva having to do a lot of offensive running to support Azzurri breaks. Brozovic and Marchisio both raise their feet for a 50-50 challenge, but the home side are penalised - much to their annoyance.
39'
Marchisio whips in a cross from the left-hand side, but Subasic claims the ball easily. Less than ten minutes remain until the interval, with Kovac's men continuing to really try and force the issue. Taking three points against the Azzurri would be key for qualification.
37'
M. Kovačić gets yellow.
Despite the introduction of Soriano, Croatia continue to win the midfield battle, with Rakitic and Brozovic everywhere in the centre of the park. Kovacic picks up the first yellow card of the evening, due to a lunging tackle on the Sampdoria substitute.
35'
De Sciglio scuffs a close-range effort! The full-back is picked out by Candreva at the back post, but his attempted first-time volley comes off his standing leg and deflects wide of the target! He was in plenty of space and should have been capitalising on lax marking.
33'
Immobile heads over at the back post! The Dortmund striker rises highest to meet a Candreva cross, but Srna does just enough to put off his man. Subasic would have been at the Italy striker's mercy there.
31'
Less than a quarter of an hour remains until the break, with this contest very evenly balanced. Croatia's strong start has forced Conte to re-think his entire set-up, with Italy now matching up more readily in midfield. Given that three central defenders were left solely to deal with Mandzukic, altering their defensive approach could prove efficient.
29'
Soriano is introduced for the hosts, with Conte appearing to want to make a reactionary tactical change. The Sampdoria midfielder is brought onto the field, with Pasqual sacrificed, as it appears Italy are going to change to a system with four at the back.
28'
R. Soriano enters the game and replaces M. Pasqual.
M. Kovačić enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
27'
Modric pulls up in midfield once again, with the former Spurs midfielder really struggling. Kovacic is quickly warmed up on the sidelines, with the Inter man a suitable replacement. That'll be the end of his evening.
25'
The stretcher is briefly brought out, as Modric looked to be in discomfort, but the Real Madrid maestro is keen to continue and waves away the prospect of treatment. Plenty of commitment and desire is on show from this Croatia outfit. Immobile breaks away down the left, before a stray touch allows Corluka to make a good tackle.
23'
Rakitic earns his side yet another corner, with the Barcelona midfielder forcing Darmian to make a hurried clearance. Croatia certainly weren't disheartened by conceding early on, Kovac's side are happy to lead the charge here in Milan.
21'
Rakitic sends a scything pass through the heart of the Italy defence, but Buffon is quick off his line to gather. Brozovic then tries his luck from the edge of the box, but the midfielder drags his effort wide of the near post.
19'
Candreva is narrowly caught offside as the Italy goalscorer looked to race in behind the Croatia defence down the right. The scores being level is fair, with the start of this contest having plenty of entertainment on show.
17'
A handful of flares have been thrown onto the field of play, with the players having to wait until calm is restored before kicking off again following Croatia's equaliser. Fire crews quickly deal with the devices, to ensure that the referee can restart proceedings.
15'
I. Perišić has scored a goal for Croatia! Assist by I. Rakitić.
Despite Zaza and Immobile having almost no effect on the stages of the game, Italy somehow find themselves with an advantage. Conte continues to prowl his technical area, with the Azzurri thus far looking extremely well drilled and organised.
GOOOOOOOOOAL! PERISIC BLASTS THE BALL STRAIGHT THROUGH BUFFON! The Croatian winger lets fly from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the left, before his seemingly easy-to-deal-with effort slides under the body of Buffon! That should have been a comfortable stop, but the visitors have restored parity!
13'
Buffon is forced into action once again, this time to catch a direct ball forward, but Mandzukic is again the victim of poor service. After a very bright start, Kovac's men find themselves well and truly on the back foot.
11'
A. Candreva has scored a goal for Italy! Assist by S. Zaza.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! ITALY TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH CANDREVA! Finally, the pendulum swings back in Italy's favour, with the hosts seeing far more of the ball. The Lazio midfielder shoots from the edge of the box, sending a heat-seeking missile of an effort into the bottom left corner!
9'
De Rossi concedes a corner, Croatia's second within the space of two minutes, but Buffon is able to make another smart save. Subasic has been a spectator thus far, with neither Zaza nor Immobile doing anything but pressing off the ball.
8'
Vida is forced off the field for some quick treatment, after clashing with Buffon in the Italy penalty area. Kovac will be pleased with how his men have started, the hosts are struggling to break out of their own half at the moment.
6'
A shot from range proves too hot to handle for Buffon, with the experience goalkeeper patting a Rakitic effort around the post. The resulting corner results in pinball inside the Italian penalty area, before Vida blasts high over the crossbar from eight yards out following a good save.
5'
Croatia have the better of the possession in the opening five minutes, with the visitors switching play smartly and making the Azzurri do the chasing. Conte's men are more than happy to sit back in their shape and absorb pressure.
3'
The opening stages haven't promised anything in the way of chances, with possession exchanged readily in the middle of midfield. Mandzukic is found by a direct early ball, but the Atletico striker is unable to turn and is forced back towards Subasic's net.
1'
We are underway in the first half! Italy are donning their famous blue strip, while Croatia are wearing red and white.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Italy's European Championship qualifier against Croatia, as the Azzurri look to beat their visiting opposition for technically the first time since 1942. Antonio Conte's men have enjoyed four consecutive wins, but will need to muster up a strong performance to dispose of a more than capable Niko Kovac outfit.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with proceedings at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, as Croatia visit Milan with a very strong starting line-up. Conte is experimenting somewhat, including Matteo Darmian as a central defender, while Manuel Pasqual and Mattia De Sciglio provide the width at wing-back. The Azzurri will have to be at their best for tonight's test.
TEAM NEWS: Zaza and Ciro Immobile are given runouts in attack, with Antonio Candreva and Claudio Marchisio providing the midfield engines for Conte's side. Andrea Ranocchia and Darmian are included as part of a back three, with Pasqual and De Sciglio out wide. Pirlo isn't available for the hosts, but there are plenty of domestic options on the bench for Italy.
TEAM NEWS: Danijel Subasic is chosen in between the sticks for Croatia, with Domagoj Vida and Vedran Corluka slotting into a central defensive partnership for the visitors. Marcelo Brozovic provides a bit of bite in midfield, alongside Luka Modric, with Ivan Perisic and Ivica Olic asked to do the running out wide. Mario Mandzukic, who has been in good goalscoring form for Atletico Madrid, leads the line.
Italy starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon; Darmian, Ranocchia, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pasqual; Immobile, Zaza.
Both teams are out on the field, meaning that after the national anthems and pre-match niceties, we'll be able to get underway in Milan!
HALF TIME! The referee calls time on an all-action first half of entertainment in Milan, with Italy and Croatia drawing 1-1 in this important Group H European Championship qualifier. Candreva fired the Azzurri ahead, before a mistake from Buffon allowed Perisic to restore parity.
Both sides have competed and threatened, with Croatia in particular having a number of free kick and corner opportunities. Kovac's men have matched their opponents, despite Modric leaving the field due to injury, and look good value to take a point home with them tonight. Be sure to rejoin us in ten minutes time for all of the second-half action.
FULL TIME! Croatia earn a well-deserved point in Milan, following a hard-fought draw against Italy. An error from Buffon proved costly for the Azzurri, with the experienced goalkeeper allowing a Perisic effort to slip under his body to cancel out Candreva's opener.
The away side had the majority of possession and generated more chances, but just couldn't make their pressure tell. Kovac's men can take plenty of heart from their performance, with Italy doing just enough to edge over the line and avoid defeat. I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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