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England were once coached by an Italian who would have been at the hot seat had it not been for some unwanted circumstances that led to Fabio Capello’s resignation, not for any tactical faults, but for some stupid on and off the field incidents that the FA thought it should intervene. Well that is history now and what a coincidence it is that the Three Lions have been awarded with a Euro 2012 quarter final clash against Capello’s home side Italy after topping Group D. Roy Hodgson is unbeaten in his five games in charge but apart from the French, they are yet to face a genuine powerhouse. Hodgson himself managed in Italy with two years at Inter Milan and knows the Italian game first hand.
The Italians are known worldwide for their efficient defensive play that borders on legendary status in achieving the best results that any team can achieve when it comes to negotiating the knockout stages. In charge of Italy for the past two years, Cesare Prandelli has brought in a more attacking flavour to the age old defensively efficient game. Yet, many pundits attach the Azzuri with a suffocating defensive mentality. England have always believed in approaching any international game or tournament with a high tempo with added focus on attack over defense. Yet, under Roy Hodgson, the English have shown that they too are capable of mastering the Italian approach specializing in tactical discipline with extra emphasis on defense. This encounter promises to be tight, close and full of technical ability with an unknown factor that has arisen with a lack of matches between the two sides over the past decade adding a bit of spice.
Head to Head
Despite the two teams meeting for the first time since a friendly in March 2002 at Elland Road, the Italians and the English share a rich history when it comes to international football. The Azzurri tasted a 2-1 victory in the last encounter at Leeds and the Italians hold a slight advantage in a head to head record of nine wins, six draws and seven losses. Italy have the edge in recent history also as they have lost just once against the Three Lions in 35 years (W6, D2, L1). Their only loss in that time was a 2-0 reverse in Nantes in 1997. Yet on Sunday, all past records will be forgotten as two very evenly matched teams will enter Kiev’s Olympic Stadium knowing there is nothing to differentiate them. They are very much on the road to transition having failed miserably in international tournaments in the past. Experience wise, Italy are by far well placed to negotiate this knock out encounter having won the World Cup in 2006. But apart from that, neither of these two teams has advanced past the quarter finals of the European Championships since Euro 2000 and so one team will be in unknown territory.
Current form
Italy
Italy qualified for the quarter finals with two draws and a win over the Republic of Ireland. Cesare Prandelli’s men opened their campaign against the defending champions Spain in a mouth watering clash in Gdansk and won many hearts with their tactical and adventurous display in a creditable 1-1 draw. The next game against a physical and athletic Croatian side saw the Azzurri dominate large swathes of the game but ultimately paid the price for missed chances as a late Mario Mandzukic goal denied them full points which meant Italy needed all three points against the disappointing Republic of Ireland. 2-0 was the result in the penultimate game against Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland but frankly a change in tactics from Cesare Prandelli from the surprising 3-5-2 formation to a more old fashioned 4-4-2 line up meant Italy were less fluent in the game but efficient in eking out a nervy 2-0 win.
England
Three group games produced three different England performances. A creditable 1-1 draw against the much fancied French side in Donetsk produced mixed responses with some dubbing the performance ultra defensive while others congratulating Roy Hodgson for instilling a belief in the side that secured a fighting point against a French onslaught. The game against Sweden was completely different as two sides went for goals. All the talk of a strong English backline suddenly went up in the air as two sloppy Swedish goals revealed the inherent weaknesses at the back for the Three Lions. Sweden led the game 2-1 at one stage before substitute Theo Walcott grabbed the equaliser and then set up Danny Welbeck for the 3-2 winner. The last game against the co-hosts Ukraine saw a nervy encounter and in a match full of drama, the returning Wayne Rooney scored a fortunate winner. Oleg Blokhin’s side dominated a subdued England for a large part of the match before being denied a genuine equaliser when a back tracking John Terry cleared a Marko Devic shot off the line as replays showed the ball had already crossed the line. Three types of England in the group stages, but thanks to Sweden’s 2-0 win over France meant the Three Lions qualify for the quarter finals and now look forward to only their second European Championship semi final since 1968.
Possible Line-ups
Italy
Cesare Prandelli would stick to his favoured 4-4-2 formation against England although his rare 3-5-2 line up paid rich dividends against Spain and to some extent against an attacking minded Croatia. But with Grorgio Chiellini out injured, he would be relying on his 4-4-2 diamond formation to nullify the dribbling skills and marauding runs of Wayne Rooney
Possible line up(4-4-2 diamond)
Gianluigi Buffon, Ignazio Abate, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Federico Balzaretti, Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Motta, Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale/Mario Balotelli
England
Roy Hodgson has been impressive in his short spell so far, applying a more disciplined outlook for a tournament that is very important for many English players for various reasons. Although England looked below par against Ukraine in their penultimate game and overly defensive against the French, the return of the inspirational Wayne Rooney gives the Three Lions a massive opportunity to take the game to the Italians. Yet, they look a bit short when it comes to defending set pieces and this is one area that the Italians would like to make most with the skills of the outstanding Andrea Pirlo to look forward to. James Milner in his holding role and as a cover to Glen Johnson would be seen as a major player to nullify an Azzurri side that would be dominant in the midfield. England would rely on their tried and tested 4-4-2 line up to counter the Italian challenge.
Possible Line up(4-4-2)
Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole, James Milner, Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck
Prediction
Set to be one of the closest encounters of the tournament, this match has the potential to go the distance and there is a fair chance that penalties may be called upon to decide who goes through to a semi-final date with Germany in Warsaw. Both sets of teams are in transition, yet Italy are best placed to edge this tie and a narrow 2-1 victory for Cesare Prandelli’s men cannot be ruled out. The experience of Italy in the knockout stages over the years would be a big factor in deciding this tie.
Quotes
“It’s going to be a close game in which certain key moments will make the difference. One of our main qualities is that we’re able to adapt and bring balance in every game, whether our rivals are strong or weak.”- Gianluigi Buffon
“You know with most English lads, and you can see it in this team, we’re like eleven bulldogs who will never give up, who will always work for each other and basically die on the pitch for each other”- Ashley Cole
