Rebuilding England Take Euro Revenge

England   2           Italy   1

                                       Jagielka  27                                       De Rossi  15 

                                       Defoe  80

 

After the vast success of team GB in the last two weeks England’s footballers gave yet more satisfaction amongst the sporting public, as Roy Hodgson’s new look side fought back  to claim sweet revenge over a forceful Italian team who were England’s conquerors in the recent European Championships.

Only Ashley Young’s name remained on the team sheet which suffered the heart breaking defeat to the hands of the Italians just 52 days ago as both sides fielded more youthful teams, many with a point to prove.

Manchester United’s Tom Cleverly was handed his first cap for his country as Hodgson switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, providing an extra body in midfield along with the recalled experience of Frank Lampard and Michel Carrick.

Jack Butland impressed many at the recent Olympic tournament and at only nineteen the Birmingham shot stopper who is yet to play at even Championship level became the youngest goalkeeper to win a full England cap.However just fourteen minutes later Butland found himself removing the ball from the net after Alessandro Diamanti's corner was met by Italy captain Daniele De Rossi out jumping Carrick to guide the ball past the stranded keeper.

Nevertheless Hodgson’s side did not panic as they drew level just twelve minutes later after Adam Johnson and Kyle Walker’s pace combined to force a corner allowing England to take a set piece of their own, when Lampard’s delivery found the brave head of Phil Jagielka who dived down low to glance his header across the goal into the bottom right corner.

England looked more settled after the goal, keeping more possession of the ball and controlling the tempo something many believe was a downfall at the Euros. The Italian's remained a threat though with De Rossi’s long passes causing problems for the England defence.

At half time Hodgson replaced Butland to give another debut this time to Norwich keeper John Ruddy. While Jermain Defoe was also introduced replacing Andy Carroll whose lack of service made it difficult to get involved.

Ruddy missed the Euros with a broken finger but sprang quickly into action denying
Mattia Destro whose quick movement proved a problem but wasteful finishing from the Italian prevented his side taking the lead.

After the hour mark Hodgson’s substitutions helped to take the sting out of the Italians attack giving them more to think about in defence. James Milner looked a threat after coming on putting the ball in dangerous positions in the Italian area.

But the winning moment came ten minutes from time when from their own corner Italy were quickly caught out after substitute Ryan Bertrand cleared off the line before a quick counter attack led by Milner finding Defoe who cut inside of the defender and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area worthy of winning any football match.

Hodgson later said “ It gave a chance to have a look at some new players and give some of the players who played at the Euros a rest”. England’s next match will be away to Moldova on the 7^th of September as they look to qualify for the world cup in Brazil in 2014.