England Coach Roy Hodgson says he has no preference as to who he would rather played for Italy out of Ciro Immobile and Mario Balotelli.
The Three Lions and the Azzurri face-off in what is both teams’ opening match of the World Cup in Manaus on Saturday.
England Coach Roy Hodgson says he has no preference as to who he would rather played for Italy out of Ciro Immobile and Mario Balotelli.
The Three Lions and the Azzurri face-off in what is both teams’ opening match of the World Cup in Manaus on Saturday.
Though Milan forward Balotelli has been Cesare Prandelli’s first choice up front in recent years, the emergence and form of Immobile have left the tactician with a decision to make come kick-off. Hodgson, however, respects both players’ abilities.
"They are both very good and very different players,” the former Inter boss said at a Press conference.
“We respect both and I'm sure whoever plays for us we will be able to cope with it. The decision of who to play is not mine."
Hodgson was also asked about whether he has a plan to limit the threat posed by Andrea Pirlo and who out of his players he thinks will be worrying Prandelli.
“That is a better question for Prandelli. I can't second guess him or imagine what he is telling his players.
“It is quite normal people focus on Andrea Pirlo for them but there are a lot of other quality players also worthy of attention.
“We are not hung up on one player because his team does not depend totally on one player.”