Half-Time Report: Malta frustrating Antonio Conte's Italy

Malta are holding Italy to a goalless draw in their Euro 2016 Group H qualifier at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.

Andrea Pirlo threatened the visitors with an early free kick that deflected off the top of the wall, but it was the only chance of note Italy carved out inside the opening 15 minutes.

Graziano Pelle then saw his effort from the edge of the area deflected behind, before Rowen Muscat had Malta's first effort, a 30-yard strike that was comfortably held by Gianluigi Buffon.

Pelle was within inches of heading Antonio Conte's side into the lead when he flicked Pirlo's corner just over the top of goal midway through the first half.

However, it was Malta that almost stole the lead as the half wore on when Alfred Effiong curled a low effort just wide of Buffon's far post.

Eder could have broken the deadlock when his mazy run took him from the halfway line to the edge of the Malta box just before the break, but he dragged his shot wide.