2012 European Championships QF Part 2: England vs Italy

Will England take revenge?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Wilshere and Henderson preferably

Rooney double today.

My glass is now half full  

RTE doing their usual England analysis.

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!

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

Hope this strong Liverpool connection does us proud.

All belting the anthem out  

Was cheering there for a 2nd!

Stirling effort from Sterling!

Think we've already had more possession than 2012

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

Bright start from England.

More of the same please.

Phil Neville makes me want to kill myself.

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

Is he even in the same studio?

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

Truly terrible. One toned robot. Awful

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.

Not like you to be negative Own...

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.

Sturridge kisses the net... so close!

The winner if this will write the history.

Italy dominant in possession and turning the screw.

England incredibly dangerous on the break.

Rooney not tracking back like we need him to really.

1-0 Italy - Marchisio

Deserved. Rooney terrible

Sublime, just sublime.

Can you ever see England doing anything like that.

Lovely worked goal to be fair to the Italians

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

1-1 Sturridge

More like it from Rooney!

1-1!

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

Get in!!!

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

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

Rooney, peach of a cross.

1-1

Gary Lewin has seemingly broken his leg on the touchline  

Whos down on the touchline?

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

Ouch!

Apparently it's his Ankle not leg.

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.

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.

That's certainly lifted England.

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

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

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

If so he needs off at the half

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.

Almost brilliance from Balotelli. Hart having his obligatory wander