I have been staring at an empty word document for over two hours as I try to gather all my thoughts related to the Euro 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy. So, here goes nothing…
Prior to the tournament, I had my reservations, worries and doubts about Roy Hodgson and his preferred football model having suffered the full effects of Roy’s ‘realism’ during a 6 month stint at Liverpool Football Club where he dragged the Reds into the relegation places.
Throughout the group stage of Euro 2012 I began to see the advantages of hiring Roy as England successfully grinded out results against France & Ukraine while also managing to end the Swedish Hoodoo as the Three Lions beat Ibrahimovich’s boys 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. The result was unthinkable with England topping Group D ahead of France with 7 points. Only Germany earned more points than England during the group stages. Impressive stuff indeed.
Here is a link to my analysis of England’s best game of the Group stages versus Sweden which shows the many positives offered by Roy Hodgson’s approach:
As a reward for topping their group, England must now face the mighty Azzuri who England have beaten only once in official football throughout their history. Daunting task awaits!
Prandelli’s Italy has been a joy to watch for all the tacticians out there as the young coach toyed with different formations, line-ups and player roles as per the opposition strengths and weaknesses. This has helped create an aura of unpredictability around the Azzuri. England’s tactics, on the other hand, were very predictable with the 4-4-1-1 formation a common factor in all of England’s Euro 2012 games accompanied by two deep banks of four shielding Joe Hart’s goal. Therefore, the game was always going to be about how well Prandelli can alter his tactics to trouble the English and obtain the all-important win.
The Azzuri began the game with a 4-1-3-2 formation which Prandelli trusted during the Euro 2012 qualifying phase. This was also the same formation deployed against Ireland in Italy’s sole win in the group stages. Prandelli relied on the width provided by his two attacking full backs Abate and Balzaretti to stretch the play while Andrea Pirlo was given full license to dictate the play from a deep lying position. The compact diamond shaped midfield included Machisio, De Rossi and the advanced Montolivo ensured that England was out-numbered in center midfield. If England were to have any chance of winning the game then success on their wings became crucial.
The game featured the most enthralling first half of the whole tournament with both teams creating goal bound chance within the first 10 minutes first through a superb long-range effort by Italy’s De Rossi followed by a break from England’s right hand side which resulted in a wonder save by Gianluigi Buffon from a Glen Johnson snapped shot. The first half continued to be an open affair with England dominating the opening exchanges before Italy took control from the 20th minute onwards. Still, chances were created on both ends and England fans must have felt a sense of satisfaction for the attacking intent showed during the opening 45 minutes.
All positivity however vanished with the start of the second half. Hodgson’s fear antics taking over as England dropped deeper and deeper with every passing minute. England’s attacking intent evaporated into thin air after the introduction of Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott in place of the tireless Danny Welbeck and the disappointing Milner.
Smelling blood, Prandelli responded by replacing the tiring De Rossi with AC Milan’s Nocerino. The young tactician then ordered the front three of the midfield diamond (Nocerino, Marchisio & Montolivo) to form a very compact unit thus choking out England’s center midfielders Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard. Pirlo, on the other hand, was given full license to dominate the play through a free role.
What seemed to be an aggressive move by England turned into a nightmare as hoof-ball tactics were deployed. To make matters worse, Rooney was asked to drop even further to chase the inspired Andrea Pirlo. As expected, long balls from Joe Hart to Andy Carroll became a common factor for England’s ‘attack’ and as predicted England’s number 9 dominated in the air as he flicked one ball after the other – the problem though was the total lack of support from England’s deep midfield (Rooney included).
The game turned worse for the Three Lions (more like three pussy cats) as fatigue took over the England players with Steven Gerrard requiring thigh massage during every stoppage. Italy created one goal bound opportunity after the other with Lady Luck fully embracing the England White as Joe Hart and co removed one dangerous opportunity after the other.
The match had over-time written all over it as England successfully kept the Azzuri at bay to score the first 0-0 score line of the tournament thus far.
The tiring Italy continued to push forward with limited success while England continued to look like playing with a player (or two) sent-off.
England seemed determined to take the game into penalties! A brief lesson in history is of importance at this point:
- England have NEVER won a penalty shootout in a World Cup tournament
- England have won just one penalty shootout in their entire European Championship history
- England were eliminated after a penalty shootout in 5 out of their last 10 international tournaments (Italia 90, Euro 96, France 98, Euro 2004, Germany 2006)
- England were facing perennial penalty champions Italy
Still, Roy decided to take the game into penalties; Lady Luck’s patience with Hodgson and his troops waned soon thereafter and the inevitable happened. England once again lose on penalties with the awful Ashley Young rocketing his shot into the cross bar while Ashley Cole couldn’t even afford to look at Buffon’s goal before firing a very weak penalty. Italy got what they fully deserved.
There is no shame losing to the Azzuri but the matter in which Hodgson managed the game was disgraceful. Now, now, I know what you’re saying! I am an avid Liverpool fan so I have my beef with Roy but let’s look at numbers now shall we:
- Joe Hart completed more passes (45) than any other England player in the game against Italy.
- England goalkeeper Joe Hart had 85 touches vs Italy, more than any other goalkeeper in the history of the Euros.
- Joe Hart made more saves than any other goalkeeper at Euro 2012. A total of 19 saves. (optastats)
- Most common pass pattern by England: Joe Hart to Andy Carroll! 18 times.
But wait, here’s more:
- Andrea Pirlo had 155 touches against England, the second most a player ever had in a European Championship game.
- England made only 15 passes in 15 minutes in the 2nd period of extra-time.
- England completed a total of 364 passes throughout the 120 minutes compared to Italy’s 837.
- England had 9 shots on goal compared to Italy’s 36.
Not convinced yet that Roy had a hand in this? (taken from fourfourtwo.com)
Take a look at how Steven Gerrard fared against Andrea Pirlo in Extra time. Yes that’s right, Steven Gerrard who has 3 assists in 3 games during the group stages actually gave ONE correct pass for 30 minutes of extra time.
The fact that Pirlo was allowed this much room is criminal – this after all is not a young unknown talent that Roy didn’t know about. This is the same Andrea Pirlo who lead Italy to the World Cup Triumph in 2006. Andrea Pirlo completed 131 passes compared to 67 completed by Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker together (taken from bbc.com).
I am not trying to take anything away from the imperious Pirlo but a better tactician should have been able to identify this threat and deal with it accordingly.
My biggest worry is that England are already a long way behind the likes of Spain, Germany and Italy; all who have endorsed attacking football in their recent tournaments. England on the other hand decided to use tactics pre Alf Ramsey.
When Hodgson was appointed, I had my worries and God I hate that I was proven right. Roy must change and adapt to the talents England possess. I do not expect England to win every trophy they compete in but I do expect England to play football.
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