ENGLAND sweet revenge over Euro 2012 defeat ruins Italy's fest.
COMMENT. Roy Hodgson outwitted Cesare Prandelli by letting everyone believing he would have used and experimented uncapped players for the last night friendly in Berne (Switzerland).
In fact whilst the 'Azzurri' in the second half duly fielded almost a renewed and young team, Jermain Defoe came off the bench to score the winning goal 11 minutes from time in a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-final.
It was a sweet revenge for Roy Hodgson and his team over the naive Italian Federation executives and their coach who even chose to switch to a risky back-three defence just before conceding the second goal.
Not the best way to celebrate the 1982 World Cup 30th Anniversary. Surely Zoff, Gentile and Tardelli (Pictured below courtesy of Repubblica.it) may have objected over last night's tactics and poor spirit. In fact Italy despite showing good play did not deserve to lose, considering the numerous missed chances during the game.
It was another rude awakening - the same as after the World Cup 2006's glory, when a poorly assembled squad lost 3-1 to France in the Euro 2008 Qualifier - and a disappointment for the 'Azzurri' who were celebrating the 30th anniversary of 1982 World Cup win by wearing a one-off special replica jersey.
A few consideration on the Swiss referee who was directing the match last night. Switzerland is the proud host of FIFA and UEFA, the House of Football. It is therefore unacceptable that Swiss referees chosen to direct international friendlies do not find being a Laws infringement (Not for the first time) the use of arms for showing, pushing, holding and jumping on shoulders piggy backs to head or attempt to, which were seen last night done unpunished on the field of play.
Both England's goal were in fact the results of advantages derived by pushing (Abate) or holding back an opponent (Balzaretti) in circumstances that preceded a goal scored.
If this is the 'unwritten' standard of playing for which referees need a tutor to get ahead with their game and exams - then please let's amend the LOAF consequently as a matter of urgency.
It will avoid to have fans injured in riots and scuffles and - at lower football levels - less referees being injured because of assaults over the diversity between the correct application and interpretations of the Laws and the (wrong) one perceived by public and players throughout observation of games such last night.
Lucio Menin *
(*) FA Referee and UEFA Coach
LONDON. / UEFA.com / Jermain Defoe scored the winning goal as England beat Italy 2-1 in Berne in a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-final, which the Azzurri won on penalties after a goalless draw.
The first half was a tale of two corners with Italy's Daniele de Rossi opening the scoring from Alessandro Diamanti's delivery on the quarter-hour before Phil Jagielka met Frank Lampard's 27th-minute set-piece to equalise with his first international goal. Defoe came of the bench at half time and capped a lively performance with an excellent winner 11 minutes from time.
After a cagey opening, it was one of the survivors from Italy's run to the UEFA EURO 2012 final, De Rossi, who gave Cesare Prandelli's side the lead. The AS Roma midfielder shrugged off Michael Carrick to head Diamanti's 15th-minute corner past Jack Butland on his England debut.
England were tidy in possession but it was another corner that produced the equaliser as Everton FC defender Jagielka stooped to power Lampard's set-piece into the bottom left-hand corner. Lampard was involved again shortly before the break but his free-kick drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
The Azzurri came out firing in the second half with Mattia Destro testing the reflexes of substitute goalkeeper John Ruddy. Antonio Nocerino then found Federico Peluso with an incisive pass but the 28-year-old defender shot wide from a tight angle. England came back into the game and only Salvatore Sirigu's fine save prevented Peluso scoring an own goal after James Milner's cross caused havoc in the Italian defence.
In one passage of play 11 minutes from time, the outcome of the game was decided. Ryan Bertrand cleared off the line to prevent Roy Hodgson's men going behind and England counterattacked. Milner fed Jermain Defoe and the Tottenham Hotspur FC forward fired into the top right-hand corner to clinch victory for England.
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| The friendly was organised to celebrate Italy's 1982 World Cup win (Pictured above Tardelli & Gentile) |
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