UEFA Euro 2012 : England v Italy Preview - An Epic Tactical Battle Awaits

ENGLAND

V

ITALY

Olympic Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine

18:45 GMT, 24th June, 2012

***

England

In the fourth quarter-final of the Euro, England and Italy will face each other, in what promises to be an intriguing match. The winner of this match will face Germany in the semi-final.

Last time this two sides met was in an International friendly in 2002, when Robbie Fowler gave England the lead in the second half, only to see Montella score a wonderful brace and win the match for the Italians. Interestingly, both the teams were knocked out from the quarter-final stage in their last Euro, Italy at the hands of Spain in 2008 and England against Portugal in 2004.

The three lions have won only one of their last nine meetings against the Italians. This two teams last faced each other in Euro back in 1980 when both were in the same group. Italians won that match 1-0.

Here is all the team news and tactical analysis of what is to be expected from this big quarter-final.

Team News and Tactical Brief

England

Royai??i??s Hodgsonai??i??s England have already exceeded pre tournament expectations by topping their group and qualifying for the knockout stages, now they must build on the newly found confidence. Ai??The Italians will undoubtedly provide stiff resistance and this duel could potentially go down to the wire.

With both sides not particularly fond of hogging possession unlike the likes of Spain and Germany, question needs to be asked which of the two great nations will assume the role of the aggressor and which would look to play on the counter. Italy, with their midfield magician Andrea Pirlo, could have the edge and dominate the midfield battle. Three Lions need to ensure that the veteran gets very little time on the ball, failing to do so by England could be game set and match in favour of the Azzuri. The duo of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck must take turns to hustle and hurry Pirlo in making a mistake; easier said than done of course.

England strength could lie in the weakness of the opposition ai??i?? the Italian defence, not that impermeable as it used to be. Chielliniai??i??s absence could have an impact although his cover is more than decent. England could have joy by attacking the fullbacks, especially with Italyai??i??s narrow formation. Ashley Young, who had a knock, should be fit enough to start and along with James Milner must ping the duo of Ignazio Abate and Federico Balzaretti in their own half.Ai?? Theo Walcottai??i??s frightening pace and Oxlade Chamberlainai??i??s unpredictability could also impact the game from the bench if and when the duo is called upon.

Italy have managed 21:39 minutes in possession to Englandai??i??s 17:50 and the trend could continue, furthermore the Italians have had two times as many shot on goal than England. Nevertheless the Three Lions do have a higher possession of forward passes with 48% to Italyai??i??s 40.

Possible Starting Line-Up [4-4-2]: Joe Hart; Glenn Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Young, James Milner; Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Italy

The Italians comes into this match at the back of a comfortable victory against Ireland, although in truth they only did what needed to be done. Prandelli’s men didn’t come into this tournament with high expectations, which in many ways has helped. In their opening match against Spain, they put in a wonderful display against the reigning world champions, when very few expected to get anything out of their match. Tactically, Italians have been one of the most flexible team in the tournament.

Ahead of this upcoming match against England, the only injury worry that Italy have is with their Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. The defender is unavailable due to a calf strain. His Juventus team-mate Leonardo Bonucci will take his place in the starting eleven. The other selection head-ache is upfront, where he has to choose between Mario Balotelli and Antonio Di Natale. The Manchester City striker was dropped in the last game in favour of the Udinese forward, but Balotelli scored a wonderful goal against Ireland after coming on as a substitute to claim a starting berth. Prandelli is set to start Balotelli once again, in hope of something brilliant from the unpredictable forward.

Tactically Italy will start in 4-3-1-2 formation. Which means Rossi, who has been one of Italy’s best players this tournament along with Pirlo, will start in the midfield alongside Pirlo and Marchisio, instead of being a sweeper (where he was deployed against Spain). Thiago Motta will start behind Cassano and Balotelli, although concerns has been raised in Italian media regarding Motta’s lack of creativity in an advanced role.

Italy will rely on their fullbacks to provide the width in an otherwise very narrow formation. While Pirlo will look to unlock the defense. Expect Italy to start on the front foot as they look to take an early lead.

Possible Starting Line-Up [4-3-1-2]: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Barzagli, Balzaretti; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Motta; Cassano, Balotelli

Key Match Facts

England had the best shot conversion rate in the group stages (21.7%).
The Azzurri remain unbeaten in competitive games under Cesare Prandelli: 13 games, nine wins and four draws.
Italy and England scored three goals each from set-pieces, the joint-most in the group stages of Euro 2012.
England have lost seven out of ten quarter-final games at major tournaments, with 1966, 1990 and 1996 the only exceptions.
Italy have only been knocked out at the quarter finals of a major tournament on two of the nine occasions that they have reached this stage ai??i?? both times on penalty kicks (Euro 2008 v Spain and World Cup 1998 v France).

Player to Watch Out For

Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

(c)e2(dot)365dm(dot)com_Pirlo_Italy — Italian Maestro

England

Pirlo came into this tournament at the back of an excellent Serie A campaign with Juventus, where they went on to win the league, remaining undefeated in the process. When this present Italian squad was selected, every Italian fans knew that the former Milan man would have to be the one to carry his team forward, specially with the lack of creativity in the midfield, and so far he hasn’t let them down.

Pirlo, along with De Rossi, have been Italy’s best performers this tournament. He has already racked up two important assists and a goal from a wonderful freekick against Croatia. He has been pulling all the string from the midfield and his performance against Spain was specially highlighted.

Against a defensively organised side like England, Pirlo will once again be the key to unlock them. Expect another virtuoso performance from the veteran.

Prediction

England 0 – 1 Italy

It is not expected to be a very open game of football. Both the team’s strength lies in defensive organisation and quick counter-attack. It will be interesting to see which team takes up the initiative early on in the match. Italy will look to overpower England in the midfield, while England will get their chances against a weakened Italian defense.

One goal might be enough for either of the team to win this match and the tactical flexibility of the Italians might just give them an added advantage. Don’t rule out this match going into penalties.

Euro Record

England:

1968 Third-place, 1996 Semi-Finalist

Italy:

1968 Winners, 1980 Fourth-place, 1988 Semi-Final, 2000 Runners-up

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Tags: Euro 2012

UEFA Euro 2012 : England v Italy Preview – An Epic Tactical Battle Awaits

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