Stevie G will be our best player again tonight.
Along with Ozil and Iniesta, Gerrard been one of the most influential players in Euro 2012, so the Italians will try to hurt him ASAP.
Italy have steel and flair and a fine manager in Cesare Prandelli , who is unbeaten in his 13 competitive matches in charge.
They’ll miss big tough Juventus centreback Chiellini for a game against England more than they\’d miss him for a game against any other team, except Sweden. So that\’s a plus for us.
We can\’t win if Rooney has a bad game or an average game.
WAYNE ROONEY blew it for England in Montenegro when he got suspended for a silly kick and we\’ve paid a high price for that ever since.
He\’d love to redeem himself for that stupid, petulant little kick on a defender who obstructed him slightly. If he can be that easily wound up, he’ll be no use to the Three Lions in Kiev tonight.
Obviously, Rooney wants to redeem himself after being unrecognisable in the World Cup.
But his England record is pitiful when it matters most : one tournament goal since 2004.
36 days without starting a match, very rusty against Ukraine, scored a header from one yard.
So my first question on Sunday morning is : Can Rooney score another header from one yard tonight?
In quarter-finals like this, when I hardly dare to hope and often fear the worst, I can get quite jittery and numb as kick-off approaches, and that\’s when I slip back into a Greek /Shakespearian view of the world\’s favourite sport.
Character is destiny.
Most of Italy remembers Stevie G turning AC Milan upside down in Istanbul when Liverpool were 3-0 down in 2005.
Milan’s first goal came after a Pirlo free-kick, Gerrard’s header flew in for 3-1, Smicer shot from outside the box almost hitting Baros, Gattuso fouled Gerrard in the box, Xabi Alonso’s penalty was parried but he followed up to make it 3-3 and extra time and a penalty shoot-out.
Stevie isn\’t the powerhouse he was on that legendary night, but he\’s still a helluva player and a dynamic leader.
PS : Will write 2 more pieces here later today.