2012 European Championships QF Part 2: England vs Italy

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 21:57

Will England take revenge?

England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck; Sturridge.

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 22:00

The first 5 minutes will tell us a lot.

Everyone goes on about Italy being a seasoned championship side but they don't half throw in some terrible tournaments, euro 04 and WC 2010 being prime examples.

Could go any which way this game, wouldn't be surprised at a bi win for either side.

Gonna cop out and say 1-1.

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 22:05

Lineup doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. Sterling sure, but hes recognised that an out of form Rooney isn't worth playing, yet shifted him wide. Welbecks there purely because he runs.

Even there we're really forcing Sterling and Sturridge to work off scraps because we're essentially reliant on Henderson to break up De Rossi, Marchisio, Pirlo and Verrati almost singlehandedly. I'd love to be wrong, but this lineup says to me we'll take a 0-0, nicking anything is a bonus.

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 22:10

I think the line up looks good- do not rate lalana.

At the end of the day if that Italian trio perform in midfield perform most teams will struggle.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 14 Jun - 22:25

Safe to say bold Hodgson doesn't exist. Brought in Sterling but in a position where I see the experience of the Italy midfield 3 keeping him very quiet.

Shoved an out of form Rooney out wide as he simply won't risk dropping him. Now we have two wide players who lack serious pace and even if Sterling can get going in the 10 role Rooney and Welbeck will both will stifle him when they constantly come inside.

Expect to see Italy boss possession in this much like 2012 only I see them actually putting chances away tonight.

Personally would have liked to have seen Wilshere/Barkley alongside Henderson/Gerrard...add some bite and movement into the middle park to help keep Italy guessing with Lallana in at no 10 due to the fact he has the intelligence to play that role which I think will be needed over sheer pace. Then Sterling/Welbeck on right/left. Welbeck would be required because of his discipline and the fact we would have Barkely/Wilshere in the midfield.

Going 2-0 Italy...possibly 2-1 with England grabbing late consolation.

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 22:35

Barkley can't play CM, gives it away too much. Its why Martinez plays him up front.

Wilshere and Henderson preferably

by skyeman Sat 14 Jun - 22:39

Rooney double today.

My glass is now half full Very Happy

by Dave. Sat 14 Jun - 22:45

RTE doing their usual England analysis.

by Hibbz Sat 14 Jun - 22:46

I'm not going to be @rsed to stay up for it but just checked the odds and I can't quite believe England are such strong favourites. Italy at 11/5 strikes me as a decent punt. I won't lump on as I fear the 0-0 but definitely going to have a little piece of it!

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 22:47

Probably partly down to the sheer amount of England fans putting money on England

by skyeman Sat 14 Jun - 22:53

Hope this strong Liverpool connection does us proud.

by skyeman Sat 14 Jun - 22:56

All belting the anthem out Very Happy

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat 14 Jun - 23:04

Was cheering there for a 2nd!

by **Pal Joey** Sat 14 Jun - 23:04

Stirling effort from Sterling!

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 23:05

Think we've already had more possession than 2012

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 23:05

Is it just me or do people come up with the funniest stats for Welbeck.

Best in the nation at dispossessing defenders is a good one

by skyeman Sat 14 Jun - 23:06

Bright start from England.

More of the same please.

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:06

Phil Neville makes me want to kill myself.

by Guest Sat 14 Jun - 23:09

Phil Neville has brought shockingly bad commentary to a new low thus far.

Is he even in the same studio?

by Guest Sat 14 Jun - 23:09

Fernando wrote:Phil Neville makes me want to kill myself.

Truly terrible. One toned robot. Awful

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 14 Jun - 23:11

Bright start but straight away big gap between Midield and front three when we come out of defence. Also seeing same mistakes as last time on giving Italy all the time in the world on the ball and standing off them.. Have to press them..but Gerrard hasn't got the legs and Henderson doesn't tend to have the tenacity. England already getting deeper 10 mins in.

by Guest Sat 14 Jun - 23:12

Not like you to be negative Own...

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:14

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 14 Jun - 23:14

Point proven...Sturridge had no one with him then until it was too late. Welbeck and Rooney tucking in but leaving big hasp out wide: especially for Full backs to get down the line..especially Chiellini. Sterling looking like a man with no nerves or fear though.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 14 Jun - 23:24

Sturridge kisses the net... so close!

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 23:26

The winner if this will write the history.

Italy dominant in possession and turning the screw.

England incredibly dangerous on the break.

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:33

Rooney not tracking back like we need him to really.

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:34

1-0 Italy - Marchisio

by Guest Sat 14 Jun - 23:35

Deserved. Rooney terrible

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 23:35

Sublime, just sublime.

Can you ever see England doing anything like that.

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat 14 Jun - 23:35

Lovely worked goal to be fair to the Italians

by AberdeenSteve Sat 14 Jun - 23:36

Beautiful goal. Pirlo is the greatest central midfielder ever. Genius

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:37

1-1 Sturridge

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat 14 Jun - 23:37

More like it from Rooney!

by **Pal Joey** Sat 14 Jun - 23:37

1-1!

Love listening to Martin Tyler... he never panics. Easy on the ear too. Smile

by Guest Sat 14 Jun - 23:37

Get in!!!

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 23:37

Pirlo tisk tisk, didn't go with his man.

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:38

Your lucky LB we have the dross is that Phil Neville.

by skyeman Sat 14 Jun - 23:38

Rooney, peach of a cross.

1-1

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:38

Gary Lewin has seemingly broken his leg on the touchline Shocked

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat 14 Jun - 23:38

Whos down on the touchline?

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat 14 Jun - 23:39

Fernando wrote:Gary Lewin has seemingly broken his leg on the touchline

Ouch!

by Fernando Sat 14 Jun - 23:40

Apparently it's his Ankle not leg.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 14 Jun - 23:40

yeah Nando. I don't know how SBS got him signed up... but he's been with us for years now.
I remember listening to him decades ago. "rumble in the jungle" just rolled off his tongue.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 14 Jun - 23:41

Rooney absolute Gash defensively..though credit for to him there.

Gerrard passing has been poor; England look narrow when defending...a problem created by playing strikers in wide positions (they can work as hard as they want but they will always drift inside when going forward and back) leaving achors of space for full backs to bomb on. It's a problem that looks like being exposed every time they come forward.

Welbeck isn't offering much for me out right; 1 decent run and cross is all and he is now taking up position close to Sterling..

Interesting game but still expect Italians to come out on top.

by Ent Sat 14 Jun - 23:42

That's certainly lifted England.

I think they would have been done had Italy held out a bit longer.

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 23:43

Even half so far. Italy controlling the tempo but England perhaps more threatening. Switch Welbeck left, if hes going to run we might as well plug the one gap Italy find.

Tactically Hodgson winning. England plugging the middle and Italy without wingers

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 23:44

Problem is whether Italy are targetting which flank Rooneys asked to defend.

If so he needs off at the half

by quinsforever Sat 14 Jun - 23:45

michael owen sounds like he's commentating on a royal funeral. good points, but he really needs to work on his delivery. cant imagine what it would be like listening to him on radio.

by GSC Sat 14 Jun - 23:47

Almost brilliance from Balotelli. Hart having his obligatory wander

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