England vs Italy – 5 Key Battles

England and Italy collide tonight in the last quarter final of the championships. England have never beaten Italy in a major competition having lost to them in Euro 1980 and World Cup 1990. Not to forget they did not qualify for Euro 2008 and the last time they got past quarter final stage of European championships was way back in 1996.
Italians lost at the very same stage in the last competition against the reigning champions Spain and have only one euro trophy to their name won in 1968. Soccerisma covers some key battles that can decide the outcome of the game.

Coming back from suspension, Wayne Rooney had a quiet game against co-hosts Ukraine but scored the vital goal that ensured England’s progression as group leaders. That was Rooney’s first goal for his country in a major competition after 8 long years as the last one he scored was in Euro 2004 as a teenager. Bonucci was calm against Croatia and had a decent outing after coming as a substitute in the last fixture versus Ireland as well. In the absence of Chiellini, Bonucci has to step and make sure he stops Rooney. On the other hand Rooney will be looking to replicate his Manchester United form to guide England into the last four.

John Terry will remember how Balotelli scored in the opening minutes against his club side Chelsea in the premier league. Balotelli is the mixture of strength, power, talent and madness. On his day he can single handedly win games. Although Lescott his club team mate will know more about him but Terry being the senior defender will have to tame the Italian maestro. Balotelli scored a spectacular volley in the last fixture and will be looking to add to his tally by scoring against his City teammate Joe Hart.

Captain Steven Gerrard has arguably been the best English player in the competition. The Liverpool star had highest assists in the group stage alongside Silva and Arshavin i.e. 3 assists in 3 games. Not only that, he has been influential helping his side in defense as well. De Rossi praised England captain claiming that Gerrard has been his idol for 10 years. The Italian played brilliantly in the heart of defensive midfield against champions Spain and tonight will be looking to stop his idol from stamping authority on the game.

Like Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo has been the best player for his nation as well. The experienced midfielder has shown why he is still the leader of Italian midfield. Pirlo provided 2 assists in the group stages and scored a stunning goal from free kick against Croatia. Parker claims he is relishing Pirlo contest but to keep him quiet is thus far his toughest task in the competition. Parker had decent group stage but gets tired as the game reaches its later stages and has relied on Gerrard’s support a lot. He will have to be on his toes to ensure Pirlo does not dominate midfield.

The last one is not a head to head battle but a key one. Joe Hart is one of best goal keepers around these days, on the other hand Gianluigi Buffon is one of the greatest goal keepers footballing world has ever seen. Italians conceded 2 goals in the group stage and expect them to keep it tight again with their captain guiding the defense from the goal. England conceded 3 in group stage and their defense has been quite shaky at times. France, Sweden and Ukraine all were given many opportunities to shoot from outside the box, most of them were blocked and saved by Hart. We can expect Hart to be the busier of the goal keepers tonight.
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