ENGLAND vs. ITALY
Date: June 14, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Amazonia, Manaus
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 9-8-7 Italy
Last Match: 2012 Friendly. England def. Italy 2-1.
Line: Italy +175
Group D Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
EDIT: GIANLUIGI BUFFON IS OUT FOR ITALY. SALVATORE SIRIGU WILL START IN GOAL FOR ITALY.
EDIT: GIANLUIGI BUFFON IS OUT FOR ITALY. SALVATORE SIRIGU WILL START IN GOAL FOR ITALY.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: England (10th), Italy (9th)
Managers: Roy Hodgson (ENG), Cesare Prandelli (ITA)
Captains: Steven Gerrard (ENG), Gianluigi Buffon (ITA)
World Cup Appearances: 14 (ENG), 18 (ITA)
Best Finish: England (Champions, 1966), Italy (4x Champions, Last in 2006)
Qualifying Records: England (6-0-4, GF: 31, GA: 4), Italy (6-0-4, GF: 19, GA: 9)
Pre-Tournament Game Results
England
June 4th - England tied Ecuador 2-2
June 7th - England tied Honduras 0-0
Italy
June 4th - Italy tied Luxembourg 1-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
England: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Out - Knee), Danny Welbeck (Questionable - Thigh)
Italy: Mattia De Sciglio (Out - Calf), Gianluigi Buffon (Probable - Ankle)
Overview
Not so much a must-win game for either team as a mustn't lose game in the early stages of the group. With Uruguay favoured to win the group, only one of these teams should be getting out of Group D and a loss in their head-to-head matchup would be a disaster for them.
The two former champions know each other well having played 24 career matches including a pair in 2012. Italy eliminated England in penalties in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals with England gaining revenge a few months after with a 2-1 friendly win.
There are a lot of questions surrounding these two teams entering this contest. Both teams were rather ininspiring in pre-tournament play with 4 draws in 5 games against lesser competition. For Italy the problems have been a lack of finishing touch up front and some sloppy play from a midfield that is aging and without some key players (Montolivo, Rossi) to injury. For England it's the same old questions (lack of goalscoring, shoddy defence) that have got their critics up in arms.
I think one of the key things to look at in this match is each team relative to they how they were when they met 2 years ago in the Euro. For me, this is a very similar Italian squad albeit they're a bit older in a few places. For England, I do believe this is a better squad particularly in the midfield with their new infusion of youth. Could make for a very exciting game considering Italy probably should have won the Euro game without penalties.
In addition to the above names, both teams are suffering from injury issues right now. Italy ruled out starting left back Mattia De Sciglio and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rolled an ankle and left a training session early this week. Buffon should play but it's a patchwork defence on the back end for Italy. England brought a wealth of midfielders to Brazil which is good because they're dropping quickly there. Already without Theo Walcott to an injury in the Premier League, Oxlade-Chamberlain is out and Welbeck is not expected to start at least due to injury.
Personnel
In the English Third: It's an English line with some experience but there isn't much pace to their movement and can lose track of opposing runs in to the penalty area. Italy not necessarily the team to take advantage of that but Mario Balotelli gave the English defence nightmares in their last encounter and no reason to expect today will be any different. Advantage: Italy
In the Midfield: The experience of the Italian side vs. the youthful exuberance for England. Italy had their way with the English midfield last encounter, but the speed and creativity of players like Sterling, Barkley and Lallana make this a more intriguing battle. Advantage: Even
In the Italian Third: Centre backs at left wing and likely breaking in someone new in the middle, this could be an adventure for Italian fans. They still have De Rossi as valued cover though against an English offence that is struggling to create goals but at least looks competent going forward now. Advantage: Even
Goalkeeping: Buffon has been an example for goalkeepers to emulate for years now. Hart is one of the most athletic goalkeepers in the world. Hart struggles with inconsistency. Buffon is 36 and possibly nursing an injury. Lots of questions but both keepers world-class when on their game. Advantage: Even
The two former champions know each other well having played 24 career matches including a pair in 2012. Italy eliminated England in penalties in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals with England gaining revenge a few months after with a 2-1 friendly win.
There are a lot of questions surrounding these two teams entering this contest. Both teams were rather ininspiring in pre-tournament play with 4 draws in 5 games against lesser competition. For Italy the problems have been a lack of finishing touch up front and some sloppy play from a midfield that is aging and without some key players (Montolivo, Rossi) to injury. For England it's the same old questions (lack of goalscoring, shoddy defence) that have got their critics up in arms.
I think one of the key things to look at in this match is each team relative to they how they were when they met 2 years ago in the Euro. For me, this is a very similar Italian squad albeit they're a bit older in a few places. For England, I do believe this is a better squad particularly in the midfield with their new infusion of youth. Could make for a very exciting game considering Italy probably should have won the Euro game without penalties.
In addition to the above names, both teams are suffering from injury issues right now. Italy ruled out starting left back Mattia De Sciglio and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rolled an ankle and left a training session early this week. Buffon should play but it's a patchwork defence on the back end for Italy. England brought a wealth of midfielders to Brazil which is good because they're dropping quickly there. Already without Theo Walcott to an injury in the Premier League, Oxlade-Chamberlain is out and Welbeck is not expected to start at least due to injury.
Personnel
In the English Third: It's an English line with some experience but there isn't much pace to their movement and can lose track of opposing runs in to the penalty area. Italy not necessarily the team to take advantage of that but Mario Balotelli gave the English defence nightmares in their last encounter and no reason to expect today will be any different. Advantage: Italy
In the Midfield: The experience of the Italian side vs. the youthful exuberance for England. Italy had their way with the English midfield last encounter, but the speed and creativity of players like Sterling, Barkley and Lallana make this a more intriguing battle. Advantage: Even
In the Italian Third: Centre backs at left wing and likely breaking in someone new in the middle, this could be an adventure for Italian fans. They still have De Rossi as valued cover though against an English offence that is struggling to create goals but at least looks competent going forward now. Advantage: Even
Goalkeeping: Buffon has been an example for goalkeepers to emulate for years now. Hart is one of the most athletic goalkeepers in the world. Hart struggles with inconsistency. Buffon is 36 and possibly nursing an injury. Lots of questions but both keepers world-class when on their game. Advantage: Even
England will win if:
They can keep the game level for the first hour. Odd pointer to make maybe but the gem of this Englan team is their midfield depth off the bench, especially in the heat of Manaus. Barkley and Sterling in particular have been phenomenal in pre-tournament action coming off the bench and their speed and dribbling will give the Italian defence problems late in the game. If England are level or up and haven't been completely outplayed, they should pull the game out in the second half.
Italy will win if:
Their back line isn't a chicken with its head cut off and Balotelli gets support from somewhere up front. England have enough talent in the midfield and with Sturridge up front to keep Italy on their toes. They don't have to be perfect, they just have to prevent the big mistake. Balotelli has to have help up front. We know he loves to shoot from everywhere and still may but England will be closing him down in particular. Someone has to step up in support and attack the holes created when they do.
Prediction
Very close, very high-profile game and the world gets to enjoy it in the hot, humid mess that is Manaus. Thanks, FIFA.
Big questions for me are the play of both teams in goal and in the back four. This is a very even contest and both back lines/goalkeepers have some serious flaws that can be exploited. One mistake could easily make the difference in this game.
Lots of similarities to their Euro encounter. Italy should have scored then but this is a more potent England offence then it was last time.
England 1-1 Italy
Very close, very high-profile game and the world gets to enjoy it in the hot, humid mess that is Manaus. Thanks, FIFA.
Big questions for me are the play of both teams in goal and in the back four. This is a very even contest and both back lines/goalkeepers have some serious flaws that can be exploited. One mistake could easily make the difference in this game.
Lots of similarities to their Euro encounter. Italy should have scored then but this is a more potent England offence then it was last time.
England 1-1 Italy
No comments:
Post a Comment