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England bowed out of Euro 2012 on Sunday night as Italy prevailed on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Despite the scoreline, the Azzurri were completely dominant in a one-sided game for the majority of the 120 minutes played, with the end of the second-half and all of extra-time played in the English half. Although Roy Hodgson’s men leave the tournament unbeaten, the style of the Italian play shows a real technical downfall in the English game.
Andrea Pirlo was rightly awarded the man of the match accolade, as the Juventus playmaker passed the English side into despair. The veteran midfielder has been in exemplary form for club and country over the last 12 months, leading Juventus to the 2011-12 Scudetto and now emerging as the Azzurri’s main man. His range of passing, willingness to accept the ball despite being marked and vision to bring other players into the game is something that must be admired, and as such was the difference between the two teams on Sunday.
Pirlo’s technical skills were in stark contrast to the blood-and-thunder efforts of opposite numbers Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker. The Three Lions pair showed the traditional British values of grit and determination, with a work-ethic and team mentality not at fault. However, the English duo could not get close to Pirlo all night, and their inability to control possession or drive an attack shows the fundamental differences between the game in the two countries.
England’s performances at Euro 2012 were plucky for sure, and their defensive rearguard can be admired for their last-ditch and dogged defending. However, the country’s lack of real footballing quality has become apparent, as the side was always set up to defend and counter-attack, with the pace of Young and Welbeck, and the physical presence of Carroll the side’s attacking threats. The midfield comprised of three ball-winners in the form of Gerrard, Parker and a distinctively-average James Milner, with little room for creativity or players who wanted to keep the ball.
Where were Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick this summer? The Manchester United men are arguably the two most gifted central midfielders in the country and their confidence on the ball may well have prevented England from having to absorb heavy periods of pressure and gave the side a belief that they could go toe-to-toe with opponents without having to rely on set-pieces to get goals. England do have technically sound footballers, but the mentality of the nation’s football is completely wrong. Most sides at the tournament wanted to get the ball down and play, creating chances on the deck; England did not believe that they could do likewise.
For Roy Hodgson to have any impact on the Three Lions he must now start to dispose of the valiant older campaigners, and bring in promising youngsters that want to play attractive football. You can be determined and feisty without the ball and still poised and creative with it. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley and other younger players with confidence on the ball are needed to prevent the same old boring story of an English elimination with their tail between their legs.
Tags: Andrea Pirlo, England, Italy, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard
