Pirlo penalty reminds me of Totti, says De Rossi

Kiev - Andrea Pirlo’s chipped penalty against England was reminiscent of a Francesco Totti’s strike that helped Italy reach the Euro 2000 final, Pirlo’s teammate Daniele De Rossi said Monday.

Italy dumped England out of Euro 2012 on penalties 4-2 Monday after a goalless draw and will meet the Germans in the semifinals.

Pirlo scored Italy’s second penalty with a delicate Panenka chip, popularised by the Czech midfielder Antonin Panenka in the final of Euro 1976 and used by Totti against the Dutch in the semifinal of Euro 2000.

“Pirlo’s crazy shot reminded me of Francesco Totti, who performed the same strike 12 years ago,” de Rossi said.

Totti scored Italy’s third consecutive penalty after the Dutch missed their first two shots and put Italy on the brink of a place in the final, which they reached only to lose to France thanks to a David Trezeguet golden goal.

Totti, 35, retired from the national team in 2006, after winning the 2006 World Cup.

Pirlo, 33, won two Serie A title and two Champions Leagues with AC Milan in a decade with the club before moving to fierce rivals Juventus in 2011 and winning another Italian title.

He has 10 goals in 87 Italy appearances.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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