Italy may need help to advance

After all the talk about an attacking approach to soccer, Italy fell back to its old defensive tactics Thursday — and the price was a costly 1-1 draw with Croatia.

The Italians let a first-half lead slip away and now may need help to advance to the European Championship quarter-finals.

Andrea Pirlo gave the Italians the lead with a curving free kick in the 39th minute, but Mario Mandzukic was left unmarked to equalize for Croatia in the 72nd.

At the start of the second half, Italy rarely threatened, instead choosing to absorb Croatia’s attacks.

The tactic backfired when Ivan Strinic launched a long pass from the left flank to Mandzukic, who had time to control at the edge of the box and shoot in off the post.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was left wondering if there was a physical problem with his squad.

“After an hour our physical level drops,” Prandelli said.

“We’ve got to figure out how to manage our energy in the next match. We’re lacking freshness in that phase of the match.

“We (drew) with a very physical and athletic squad, but we played much better (than Croatia).”

The Italian squad had numerous other first-half chances in the soccer match from Mario Balotelli, Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Cassano, but the Azzurri lacked finishing quality.