England bowed out of a major tournament on penalties once
again after losing to Italy in Kiev following a 0-0 draw after extra-time. There
were plenty of talking points from the quarter-final and I pick out a few.
Same again
Roy Hodgson stuck with the same XI
which started the 1-0 win over Ukraine and he was rewarded with a promising
opening 15 minutes. However, a lack of fresh legs became more apparent as the
first half wore on as England struggled to attack with any great pace, and
looked jaded chasing the Italians. The difference in fitness levels grew wider
as the game wore on and England were out on their feet by the time penalties
came around.
Balotelli's
intelligence
The Italy striker is known for his
impudent finishes, skill and speed but against England he showed he had
developed some game intelligence. Balotelli realised early on in this contest
that his Manchester City team-mate Joleon Lescott could match him for pace and
power. So he sought to exploit John Terry's lack of pace by taking up positions
between him and Glen Johnson in the old inside left position. It was a complete
display of all-round centre-forward play and one that intimated Balotelli is
evolving into a more complete striker.
England
needed Carrick
Roy Hodgson got most things right
at Euro 2012 with England this summer. He developed a sense of unity within the
squad, made his substitutions seemingly at the right moments and got the
required results. Yet, one thing he failed to do was find a place for Michael
Carrick in his squad. He may not be a creative and dynamic midfield maestro and
I’m not his biggest fan but at the moment he is England’s best passer of the
ball. The inability of England to retain possession could have surely been
helped by Carrick. England needed a conductor in midfield. Carrick may not have
the dynamism of Gerrard, or the aggression of Parker but as a midfield pivot,
he surpasses both.
Top Top Player
Pirlo demonstrated to England midfielders how to dictate a game and in
the words of Johnny Giles demonstrated the moral courage to play and pass the
ball. England did not get close to him which may have been as a result of
fatigue. Pirlo is not the quickest in
the world but what he brings is match intelligence and an unwavering ability to
find his man with a pass.
Penalty
curse strikes again
Missed penalties from Ashley Young
and Ashley Cole resulted in England tumbling out of the tournament. Perhaps
England's players should ask Andrea Pirlo for tips after he coolly chipped his
penalty over Joe Hart. Now that's how you take a penalty.
Buffon's
still got it
I’m not talking about his beautiful
wife Elena. (Google Her) Gianluigi Buffon is widely regarded as the finest
goalkeeper of his generation and many see England counterpart Joe Hart as the
Italian's heir apparent. The 34-year-old, though, will not be passing on his
mantle just yet after his superb reaction stop to deny Glen Johnson after five
minutes proved his reflexes are as strong as ever, and he got down well to save
Ashley Cole's penalty in the shoot-out.
How
to solve a problem like Wayne
No-one would argue that Wayne
Rooney has talent and has demonstrated it on a consistent basis for Man Utd
over the years. But he has failed to deliver once again in a major tournament for
England. He looked sluggish, over-weight and a missing persons report could
have been filed as no one saw him for 120 minutes. He created very little in
the final third of the pitch. He was supposed to be England’s main attacking
threat but he failed miserably.
Set-piece
threat
Aside from Johnson's early shot,
England struggled to create chances from open play, with the crossing from wide
by James Milner and Young poor. Set-pieces had proven profitable in the group
phase for England and they again represented the likeliest source of a goal,
with Gerrard's delicious delivery on 77 minutes deserving better from Rooney.
Fifth
officials
The worth of having officials
stationed near each goal was again brought into question when John Terry
clearly had his shirt held twice in the second half. The second incident must
have been right in the eye line of the fifth official, so once again begging
the question - what are they there for?
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