Euro 2012 Quarter Final 4: England - Italy (24/06/2012)

ENGLAND vs ITALY
Kiev, 19.45pm, Sunday 24th June 2012
UEFA European Championships Quarter Finals

Roy Hodgson's men have so far exceeded all expectations by topping Group D ahead of France, following a 1-0 win in their final game against Ukraine, which subsequently sent the co-hosts out of their own competition, that coincided with the end of France's 23 match unbeaten run ended in a 2-0 defeat to already-eliminated Sweden. After 2 wins and a draw, optimism is steadily growing with more and more believing England have what it takes to progress even further, especially as they have avoided a Quarter Final clash with Spain. Instead, England face a tough, yet winnable game against the Italians.

The new England boss has several selection headaches ahead of the Quarter Final, with all of England's front-men staking a strong case for selection in what could be one of the biggest games of their careers to date. Following the fantastic strikes of both Carroll and Welbeck against the Swedes, and Rooney's crucial finish - later described by Steven Gerrard as a 'tap-in' - all of England's forwards have a goal to their name. I get a feeling that Hodgson won't be too upset to be having to make such tough decisions though. Other problems he may face is whether he continues to run with James Milner on the right of midfield, or whether to opt fot he more pacey Walcott - so devastating against Sweden following his introduction, but less influential against Ukraine. One thing's for sure, the Italian side is very experienced, so a faster tempo may be the way to approach the game. Following a reasonably robust defensive performance against the co-hosts on Tuesday night, Johnson, Terry, Lescott and Cole look set to start once again as 'Hart's last line of defence'.

The Italians failed to top their group, however following an opening 1-1 draw with current European and World Champions Spain, before being held to a 1-1 draw against Croatia, went on to seal their place in the last eight with victory over the already-eliminated Republic of Ireland. Whilst posing plenty of attacking threats going forward, in the forms of Cassano, Di Natale, the ever-controversial Mario Balotelli, in addition to a midfield controlled by the likes of set-piece specialist Andrea Pirlo, they have had weaknesses exposed. Twice from leading positions in the tournament, they have gone on from leading positions to drop points. So should England fall behind in Kiev, it will be an interesting test of character to see if they have overcome such incidents that haunted them against Spain and Croatia. Though I get the feeling Roy Hodgson's men will have no intention of going behind!

It looks set to be a tense affair on Sunday night with two teams set out looking not to give a lot away, and it could well be a game with few goals on offer whereby defence may seem the best form of attack for Hodgson and Azzuri boss Prandelli.

England Starting XI vs Ukraine (W 1-0):

Hart
Johnson - Terry - Lescott - Cole
Milner - Gerrard - Parker - Young
Rooney - Welbeck

Subs used: Walcott, Carrol, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Italy Starting XI vs Republic of Ireland (W 2-0):

Buffon
Abate - Barzagli - Chiellini - Balzaretti
Pirlo - Marchisio - Motta - De Rossi
Cassano - Di Natale

Subs used: Bonucci, Diamanti, Balotelli

Final Say:

I believe this one will be a closely fought affair with the English to progress to the semi-finals After Extra Time, England 2-1 Italy

At the Bookies:
England Win @ 7/4
Draw @ 21/10
Italy Win @ 13/8
(Odds courtesy of www.williamhill.com)​

 

Expect Italy will revert back to the 3-2-3-2 of the Spain and Croatia games for this. ITaly aren't particularly defensive, contrary to belief, so I think this game will have a similar look to it as our group games. Really can't call it though.

 

This is the one.

 

You should definitely play Walcott; Italy will play ball around and if you manage to get some good counterattacking opportunity Rooney+Walcott could be perfect against a slow Italian defense

I hope we're not playing again Thiago Motta he is really past his time and specially behind the strikers I would love to see Diamanti/Giovinco instead of him

Tight stuff

 

:italian:Forza Italia battere la Enlish pompus

 

Honestly feel it could go either way, but will be positive and say 2-1

 

I think it will end up 1-1, and England actually winning on penalties this time.

 

Worth a punt?

 

We know how England will play, but I think that doesn't matter. If Italy go with their 3-5-2 from the first two matches, I only see Italy winning. If they play the 4-3-1-2 they did against ROI then I see it being much closer and England having a chance, especially if Montolivo starts in place of Thiago Motta. Neither can play at the front of a midfield four, and it just didn't work against Ireland. If Italy have the guts to start Diamanti or Giovinco behind the strikers then then that may change, but they won't. I'm not predicting a thing until I see the line ups.

 

according to what newspapers say they won't have the guts, infact apparently Monteolivo is confirmed (a spineless player absolutely overrated who doesn't deserve to be there as well as Motta)
Diamanti, Giovinco and DiNatale will sit on the bench...... this says everything about prandelli guts... not only, press says also he will paly with 4 in defence which means a great gift to Mr. Hodgson

FORZA ROY!!!!!

 

If that is confirmed the I feel alot better about England, and lot worse about my Sweepstake chances...

 

http://www.gazzetta.it/Europei/2012...-difesa-4-balo-solo-dubbio-911623965389.shtml

Barzagli during the press conference, when asked about how to stop Rooney answered talking about 4defence.
Montolivo apparently prefered to Motta, but this doesn't make any difference, 2 slags
Balottelli and Cassano (as usual the most sponsored by press, ignorant public opinion, etc...)

ITALIA (4-3-1-2):
Buffon;
Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Balzaretti;
Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi;
Montolivo;
Balotelli, Cassano.

they deserved to be humiliated and kicked out

 

Is there a chance Montolivo may act as one of Pirlo's 'bodyguards' and Marchisio will be the more advanced of the midfielders? That seems to make far more sense to me.

 

[video=youtube;UqOIX1sOq3s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqOIX1sOq3s&feature=fvst[/video]

I'm now right behind Italy because of this...

 

best of luck for the game guys...

Italy are very beatable - but we were rubbish

 

Oh great, the england band is back. The soundtrack to disappointment

 

Great chances for both sides in the first few minutes...

 

More chances in this game than last nights already.

 

Impressive start so far. Better than Ukraine anyway

 

Italy well on top. We need to get back in this game but we've hardly strung a pass together.

 

I already have no nails left.

 

Ball's not sticking up front and we're scared to run at them. As soon as we get pressured on the ball, we come backwards. Need to be a bit bolder. OK, not everything will come off, but if we don't even try things we won't know.

Wellbeck is out of his depth. Get him off.

 

We needed half time quite desperately. We were starting to get smothered by the Azzuri.

 

Milner is awful. Gives the ball away constantly!

Rooney hasn't been much better either, but think he's not match fit yet. Welbeck has worked hard, but think Carroll's height and strength from crosses would be harder for the Italians to deal with.

 

We keep trying to ping the ball in the box so bring on Carroll. As mentioned above Rooney not's in it either.

 

To be fair he's won a lot of headers from Hart's goal kicks. To my mind Milner is too ponderous and we're over-reliant on Glen Johnson of all people when we get into the attacking third.

 

I was just about to say Milner can't beat anyone then he goes and beats his marker! Crap cross though....

 

Forcefield around the England goal

 

Getting hard to watch. We've had so much luck/Italy scuffs its unreal.

 

Probably the best substitution that could be made.

 

Switched commentary to 5live, Mark Lawrenson is somehow managing to **** me off ridiculous amounts.

 

For all the anti-Milner comments, he was a lot better than Young. Young shouldn't be playing. He's been awful this tournament. England are dire at the moment. We're so flat it's pathetic.

 

Strangely enough, Terry has been quite good this tournament. Rooney, supposedly our best player, has been a bit...meh

 

Terrible second half. I don't know what's going on. Gerard's been ****, Rooney's been ****, Young's been ****, Walcott's not touched the ball. It's terrible from England. We're lucky to still be anywhere near this game.