Italy player ratings v England
It was irony central at Kiev's Olympic Stadium as boring defensive England fought for 120 mins to stave off suave, attacking Italy, only to fall victim to Gigi Buffon's penalty-saving…
It was irony central at Kiev's Olympic Stadium as boring defensive England fought for 120 mins to stave off suave, attacking Italy, only to fall victim to Gigi Buffon's penalty-saving…
England manager Roy Hodgson stood by the two players who missed penalties in the “heroic” shoot-out defeat to Italy. Riccardo Montolivo drilled wide, but Ashley Young hit the bar and…
Claudio Marchisio reveals he was one of the designated penalty takers, but was not fit enough to step up against England. “I was meant to be one of the penalty…
Andrea Barzagli admits he was nervous during the shoot-out, but credited total concentration for Italy keeping England ineffective. “I was nervous during the penalties, as I thought it wouldn’t be…
Leonardo Bonucci believes England’s negative approach contributed to keeping Wayne Rooney quiet. “In terms of what was seen on the pitch, Italy certainly deserved to qualify, as we played more,…
Riccardo Montolivo admits “it was terrible” when he missed a penalty in the shoot-out, but relieved as Italy did send England out. “It was terrible. The world collapses on to…
Gianluigi Buffon admits he “feared an upset,” but also took credit for advising Alessandro Diamanti on the decisive penalty. “Of course I feared an upset, as when a lottery starts…
Andrea Pirlo reveals why he decided an audacious chip in the penalty shoot-out against England. “It put pressure on them.” The Italy midfielder scored with a sensational lob to beat…
Daniele De Rossi likened Andrea Pirlo’s chipped penalty to Francesco Totti’s in the Euro 2000 shoot-out. Daniele De Rossi likened Andrea Pirlo’s chipped penalty to Francesco Totti’s in the Euro…
Alessandro Diamanti reveals what he was thinking when scoring the decisive spot-kick for Italy against England. “I didn’t expect it, but always believed and this was absolutely a deserved victory.…
Cesare Prandelli said Italy “deserved to win, as we played better than well, had patience and above all ideas” against England. The Azzurri dominated the quarter-final, but hit the woodwork…
Italy dominated the match with England and hit the woodwork twice, but eventually pushed England out 4-2 on penalties! Italy dominated the match with England and hit the woodwork twice,…
Roy Hodgson admits England have “given penalties a lot of thought” ahead of tonight’s quarter-final against Italy. The manager named an unchanged line-up from the one that beat Ukraine 1-0…
Italy have Riccardo Montolivo in for Thiago Motta with Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli against England in Kiev. Italy have Riccardo Montolivo in for Thiago Motta with Antonio Cassano and…
Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio warns Italy “have more creativity,” but England can do damage with Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney. Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio warns Italy…
Around 2,200 Italy fans are expected in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, though there are a predicted 10,000 England supporters. The figure of 2,200 is an improvement on expectations in…
Manchester City assistant Attilio Lombardo is confident Italy “will win 1-0” tonight against England with Mario Balotelli playing “a great game.” Manchester City assistant Attilio Lombardo is confident Italy “will…
Former England manager Fabio Capello reacted angrily when tabloids suggested he was ‘spying’ on them to help Italy prepare for the quarter-final. The tactician left the FA by mutual consent…
Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli has tipped Mario Balotelli to be “the extra weapon that can take Italy to the Final.” The 1982 World Cup winner cast his eye over…
Mario Balotelli “is not afraid of England, but maybe they are afraid of him,” said the Italy star’s agent. Much of the focus in the lead-up to tonight’s Euro 2012…