International friendly: Romania 1 Italy 1

Marica had Romania ahead just past the half hour mark but turned to villain when he put the ball into his own net in the second half.

However, the game will be remembered for the racist taunts directed at Azzurri players Mario Balotelli and Argentine-born Cristian Ledesma from some sections of the Italian crowd.

It was an experimental Italian line-up with coach Cesare Prandelli handing debuts to four players, including Ledesma and Brescia playmaker Alessandro Diamanti.

The new-look line-up played with little cohesion as the Romanians took a deserved lead on 34 minutes after Marica pounced on a loose ball in the box.

Balotelli created a couple of decent chances and second-half substitute Alberto Gilardino was also busy, but Italy could not find a way through the Romanian rearguard until Marica’s unfortunate intervention with eight minutes remaining.

Romanian defender Cristian Chivu limped off with a muscle injury after 15 minutes in what will be another blow for his club Inter Milan, who already have a mounting casualty list.