Image:Cesare Prandelli: Knows his side must now beat Ireland on Monday to have a chance to progress
Cesare Prandelli rued Italy letting another lead slip as they drew 1-1 with Croatia to leave their qualification hopes finely balanced.
Italy boss sees side let another lead slip in Group C
Cesare Prandelli rued Italy letting another lead slip as they drew 1-1 with Croatia to leave their qualification hopes finely balanced.
After dominating the first period, the Azzurri deservedly went ahead in Poznan via Andrea Pirlo's exquisite 39th minute free-kick.
But Croatia improved after the break and equalised when Mario Mandzukic notched his third goal of the tournament with 18 minutes remaining.
This latest draw comes after a 1-1 stalemate with Spain in their Group C opener - in which they also let a lead slip - and Prandelli believed it was two points lost ahead of their final game against Ireland on Monday.
Prandelli told Rai tv: "We should have wrapped it up earlier for sure but we are still in it, we are alive and we will fight to the end.
"We had some good chances in the first half and could have done better. We missed a bit of energy and grit."
