“England have a potential
match winner in captain Steven
Gerrard ahead of tonight’s
World Cup clash in Manaus –
but Italy have an even better
player in Andrea Pirlo.
“Italy has seldom had a more
difficult opening to a World
Cup campaign, coming up
against an England side nicely
mixing youth with the
experience of players like
Steven Gerrard.
“The England and Liverpool
skipper will be battling for
midfield supremacy with my
good friend Andrea Pirlo.
“But while I think Gerrard is
great, Pirlo is a genius –
definitely the best around in
his role.
“So, how can Italy beat the
English in the heat of the
Amazon in a first match that is
crucial for both teams?
“Simply, they’ll have to create
good, intense possession; keep
the match pace and, most
importantly, make their
opponents run. The heat will
be intense, so you have to
make your opponents tired and
with Pirlo pulling the strings
that’s what will happen.
“Players like Gerrard and
Rooney are important assets for
England: they have fought
hundreds of battles, and they
know exactly what it takes to
play in a World Cup. But I also
like some of the younger
players, especially Daniel
Sturridge, he’s a rapid striker
and he has had a great season.
“Hodgson’s England group is
talented and skilled, but in my
opinion Italy are much more
solid. I believe Italy have
something more and that’s why
they will triumph.
“During my career I
experienced many matches
against English clubs and the
national team. For example, in
1997 we won at Wembley
thanks to a Gianfranco Zola’s
goal. I sat on the bench that
evening, but I was impressed
by the energy, the fighting
spirit and the effort of the
English. They always seem to
give their best at home, with
more difficulties playing
abroad.
“We always managed quite well
against them and I think we
will in Manaus.
“Things have changed a little
since that night 17 years ago.
Back then Serie A was the best
league in the world, while the
Premier League was still
emerging.
“Now the English League is
definitely the better of the two,
but it hasn’t had a direct
benefit on the English national
team, and we should say the
same for Serie A.
“Not so long ago there were
more restrictions about how
many foreign players could play
in a team and it was easier to
identify the strength of a
league through the value of its
own national team. Not so any
more.”
match winner in captain Steven
Gerrard ahead of tonight’s
World Cup clash in Manaus –
but Italy have an even better
player in Andrea Pirlo.
“Italy has seldom had a more
difficult opening to a World
Cup campaign, coming up
against an England side nicely
mixing youth with the
experience of players like
Steven Gerrard.
“The England and Liverpool
skipper will be battling for
midfield supremacy with my
good friend Andrea Pirlo.
“But while I think Gerrard is
great, Pirlo is a genius –
definitely the best around in
his role.
“So, how can Italy beat the
English in the heat of the
Amazon in a first match that is
crucial for both teams?
“Simply, they’ll have to create
good, intense possession; keep
the match pace and, most
importantly, make their
opponents run. The heat will
be intense, so you have to
make your opponents tired and
with Pirlo pulling the strings
that’s what will happen.
“Players like Gerrard and
Rooney are important assets for
England: they have fought
hundreds of battles, and they
know exactly what it takes to
play in a World Cup. But I also
like some of the younger
players, especially Daniel
Sturridge, he’s a rapid striker
and he has had a great season.
“Hodgson’s England group is
talented and skilled, but in my
opinion Italy are much more
solid. I believe Italy have
something more and that’s why
they will triumph.
“During my career I
experienced many matches
against English clubs and the
national team. For example, in
1997 we won at Wembley
thanks to a Gianfranco Zola’s
goal. I sat on the bench that
evening, but I was impressed
by the energy, the fighting
spirit and the effort of the
English. They always seem to
give their best at home, with
more difficulties playing
abroad.
“We always managed quite well
against them and I think we
will in Manaus.
“Things have changed a little
since that night 17 years ago.
Back then Serie A was the best
league in the world, while the
Premier League was still
emerging.
“Now the English League is
definitely the better of the two,
but it hasn’t had a direct
benefit on the English national
team, and we should say the
same for Serie A.
“Not so long ago there were
more restrictions about how
many foreign players could play
in a team and it was easier to
identify the strength of a
league through the value of its
own national team. Not so any
more.”
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