Ray Wilkins is one of the few Englishman to have a successful career in Italy and is probably best placed to comment on the Italians style and what England can expect when they meet in the quarter finals of Euro 2012 this Sunday.
Wilkins believes that while Italy still maintains its footballing philosophy of old, the team has a collective togetherness and solidarity:
“The philosophy is not to concede initially and then if they can go and score they will. They’ve always been extremely talented and the Italians have enjoyed defending, as crazy as it sounds they are probably the only national side who still enjoy doing so. I think you will see them defend with a lot of players behind the ball and a bit of quality; if you look at the Juventus squad they’ve been exceptional this season and seven of their players will be in the squad. They’ve got experience in their midfield with players such as Pirlo and De Rossi as well as some younger players so I think the Italians will be a bit of a surprise.
“I think their strengths are not only defence but as a collective team. Italian football is being pulled through the mud a bit at the moment and when that happens the Italians seem to get an inbuilt strength which allows them to come out fighting and put on a good performance to prove that Italian football isn’t in a decline despite what many people may think.”
“For more insight from Ray Wilkins and other leading managers plus all the coverage of Euro 2012 go to yahoo.eurosport.com”