Goofle

Do you actually believe that England are anywhere near Italy? They have a better defence, midfield and attack, play with more shape and tactical discipline and are technically superior.

Their group was also harder than England's in my opinion.

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Sneer

How are they far superior? Cassano and Balotelli are hardly a a world-beating forward line, whilst other than Pirlo and De Rossi the midfield isn't anything to shout about. England match them all over the pitch. England fans seem incapable of being rational. They either have expectations that far exceed the capability of the team, or nestle in the other extreme of being overly pessimistic. We shouldn't fear the Italians, we have just as good a chance of going through as they do and, as Urban and I have previously said, it'll be a tight affair.

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Urban Hat€monger ?

And lets not forget if it goes to penalties the Italians are worse at penalty shoot outs than England are.

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Flaming Firebolt

I have been an england fan since the early 90's. I know we will lose, probably on penalties and have my song ready to share on FB (Oasis, Stop Crying your Heart Out) BUT being an england fan, there is this annoying niggle deep in my heart that has complete faith that we will win everything so I will go to the pub in a minute, deal with the wretched emotional journey and get back to the music when it all goes horribly wrong.

Unknown Soldier

I don't think Italy are that great at all, its an average Italian side similiar to the one that won the world cup (meaning they were no better than the teams they beat) To be honest I fancy England, they never expected to get this far and to be honest Italy were lucky to qualify from their group as both Spain and Croatia were better. Italy will play as Italy always play which means get a goal and then sit back and defend, Pirlo's a pedestrian so if England can cut the balls to him then that really hurts Italy's creative hub. This match has extra time and penalties written all over it.

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Metal Wars

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Goofle

I am not an England fan, I'm a football fan. So I think I am able to be completely rational when it comes to my own opinion (although it is of course not 100% fact) and from what I have seen Italy are a far superior side.

I think the Italian team are being highly underestimated, and they are exactly the kind of team that will exploit England's weaknesses in central midfield and at right back. Also, their defensive shape helps to limit the threat of Rooney, with De Rossi almost man-marking him (or occupying the space Rooney works in). I could be wrong of course, but everything I have seen points to a routine win for Italy.

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Urban Hat€monger ?

The only game Italy have been far superior against anybody in was against Ireland, which doesn't really say a lot.

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Unknown Soldier

As I said I fancy England to win, but deep down I know Italy may well just win the match, not because they're good just because they play a dogged style and have the best player on the pitch in Balotelli as long as he keeps his head.

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Goofle

I would agree with that, but England haven't been far superior to any team thus far. Unless the last 30 minutes against Sweden counts.

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Vertigo

I think you're right as far as Parker goes, but on his current form Gerrard has nothing to fear from Pirlo. The only advantage Pirlo has over Gerrard is that he's surrounded with better players.

If Hodgson plays Parker and Milner that will be England's undoing. He won't start with Carroll, even though I think this would be good - to give the Italians something else to think worry about - so the biggest weapon England can throw at Italy is pace.