The Azzurri hadn’t won an International fixture since September 2013 before last night’s Group D encounter, failing to despatch such titans of soccer as Luxembourg and Armenia in the build-up to this World Cup. And yet, cometh the hour, Pirlo and Co. produced a display of tactical nous and precision to beat a young, adventurous England side that caused the Italians no shortage of problems.
Hodgson’s intentions were clear from the moment Raheem Sterling’s name appeared on the team sheet: England were to hit the comparatively immobile Italian defense with the pace and directness that has served Liverpool so well this season. And the 19-year-old from Wembley wasted no time in announcing himself onto the World Cup stage, ghosting past several Italian defenders before unleashing an exocet into the side netting within the first five minutes.
19-year-old Raheem Sterling announced himself to the World Cup stage (Photo: @Squawka | Twitter)
That run set the mould for the majority of this match. Where Italy were the careful craftsmen, possessive of the ball and measured in their build-up, England engaged in the cut and thrust of rapid counter-attacks, their forward quartet of Sturridge, Sterling, Welbeck and Rooney wasting no opportunity to tilt full-speed at azure blue windmills. Hodgson had set up England to thrill.
It was no surprise that Italy saw the majority of possession, but what will anger England is the nature of the opening goal on 35 minutes. Although a clever training ground routine, the corner kick that reached Claudio Marchisio at the top of the D via a classy Pirlo dummy should have been closed down more quickly. Given time to compose himself, Marchisio struck a low drive that snuck through a gaggle of white shirts to nestle in Joe Hart’s right hand netting.
Claudio Marchisio celebrates his goal (@MuhmmdAdel | Twitter)
But English heads didn’t bow. One of this side’s strengths – a trait sorely missing from previous travelling parties – is its mental resolve, and within three minutes England were level through a goal made by Liverpudlians' native and adopted. Sterling released Rooney down the left with a ball that took out four Italians, before the United man lofted a perfectly weighted cross onto Sturridge’s right foot. Salvatore Sirigu – a late replacement for the injured Buffon – could do little more than pick the ball out of his net. England were back on level terms.
Hodgson switched Welbeck from right to left at half time, looking to counter the runs of Antonio Candreva that produced Italy’s most dangerous play. It didn’t work. On 50 minutes, the Lazio wide man skipped past an exposed Leighton Baines to deliver a perfect looping cross that left Gary Cahill stranded and Mario Balotelli with a straightforward header to put Italy back in front. It was a well-taken goal, but England will ask questions of both their fullbacks.
Again, the men in white came back at the Italians, with both Rooney and Sterling creating chances. Where Hodgson introduced more attacking talent – Wilshire for Henderson, Barkley for Welbeck – Cesare Prandelli added grit and work ethic in the shapes of Motta and Parolo. Italy defended in numbers as the game wore on, looking to hit England on the counter as, inevitably, the heat of Manaus took its toll; the last 15 minutes were a Trundle in the Jungle. Despite a generous dollop of added time, England never really looked like finding the equalizer.
Italy leave Manaus as they entered it: favourites to top the group. England leave with no points but a great deal of encouragement. There are defensive frailties to work on, particularly down the left, but Uruguay and Costa Rica should hold no fears for Hodgson’s young lions. This is not the long-ball, possession-lite detritus of previous tournaments; this is a new, cutting-edge England, and it’s taken a 66-year old from Croydon to guide them there.
