England vs Italy - Match Review: A familiar scoreline, but anything other than 'business as usual'

Aaaannnd breathe. OK, so we've had a couple of day's to let the dust settle in Manaus. We had great feedback from our England vs Italy match preview, so we've decided to give you some light analysis now that we've had chance to take stock of the game, and where it leaves England in regards to Group D. 

England's starting lineup agaisnt Italy on Saturday evening in Manaus

So, England’s first match in Brazil ended in defeat on Saturday night; but the result and England’s performance was anything but ‘business as usual’. For the first time at a major tournament, for well over a decade, England played with a passion, a hunger, and a belief that finally restored a sense of hope and pride amongst England’s long suffering nation of supporters. We here at The Lone Striker believe that's worthy of celebrating. 

The Brains Trust

The Brains Trust

Roy Hodgson has quietly constructed one of them most dynamic management structures that any England coach has ever assembled. Next to long trusted loyal lieutenant Ray Lewington, is the fiery and intensely knowledgeable Gary Neville. Hodgson rules very much through committee rather  than autocratically, and one suspects that the influence of Neville likely swayed Hodgson’s team selection on Saturday evening towards England’s exciting youngsters. Something The Lone Striker feared he wouldn't do, given his reticence to invest his faith in the same group of players in the past.  But ultimately, the buck stops with Hodgson. It takes a certain degree of courage to gamble ‘with the kids’ as Hodgson did against Italy - it’s his job and reputation on the line. His bold, young, attacking lineup was a revelation. There was vindiation too, for his faith in Danny Welbeck, in the face of increasing pressure (including from us) to leave him out of the starting lineup.

Raheem Sterling: A Star Is Born

What became evident just minutes into Saturday’s game was that in Raheem Sterling, England possess one of the most exciting young prospects in world football. Sterling was a constant menace to the Italians who at times had no answer to Sterling’s pace and trickery. Not since Euro 2004 in Portugal have England seen a performance of such sheer fearlessness. A star was born on Saturday night. Let’s just hope that his light burns brighter than those who have come before him.

Danny Welbeck: Faith Repaid

Danny Welbeck was outstanding against The Italians, 
repaying Roy Hodgson's faith in The Manchester United youngster.

Danny Welbeck, the much maligned Manchester United wideman finally repaid the faith of his manager, with his most exceptional performance in an England shirt. Welbeck was relentless in his pursuit to dispossess and pressurise the Italian back line. His tireless performance was a vindication for Hodgson’s refusal to heed calls for Welbeck’s exclusion.

Wayne Rooney: More Frustration for The United Superstar

Rooney cut an increasingly frustrated figure at times against Italy 

It was a mixed night for the under-fire Manchester United star who has come under intense scrutiny, leading up to England’s World Cup. Rooney looked uncomfortable in his starting position on the left of England’s midfield, struggling to grasp his defensive duties, which continually left Leighton Baines exposed and looking vulnerable down England’s left hand side. The Italians all too quickly pounced on this obvious English weakness and clinically continued to target England’s left flank. 

Going forward, Rooney provided England’s superb assist for Sturridge’s goal, and came close to grabbing England’s equaliser in the second half following some superb work to create an opening for himself. 

Ultimately, Rooney needs to do more, and desperately needs a world class performance in order for Hodsgon to continue to justify his place in the starting eleven.  The wolves are at the door for Rooney. With a hungry, and hugely talented Ross Barkley waiting in the wings, and with England’s best player Raheem Sterling excelling in Rooney’s favoured position behind the number 9, Rooney could struggle to finish this tournament as an regular starter.

The Engine Room

The much improved Jordan Henderson continued to impress alongside
 Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.

With Italy (predictably) dominating in possession, England struggled to get Steven Gerrard into the game, and for periods, the England captain became a peripheral figure. But in Gerrard’s Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, England posses the most improved footballer in the country, over the second half of last season. He looked almost unrecognizable from the player who faced Italy two years ago in Kiev, and it was illustrative that it was Henderson who collared Rooney after The England's equaliser to remind him of his defensive duties - such is his growth in stature inside the England camp.

England again struggled to close down the space around Pirlo the way in which Italy, (the masters of the art) do. But England seemed content to allow Pirlo the time and space to retain the ball deep in Italian territory, knowing that in messrs Sturridge, Welbeck, Sterling and Rooney, England probably possess the most potentially explosive front four of any team at this World Cup - apart from perhaps the Argentineans. 

Apart from Italy’s opening goal - the result of a mass suicidal lapse in concentration, Italy rarely threatened from central midfield areas, and were largely reduced to efforts from distance. This was in large part, due to the industry and discipline of the excellent Henderson, shoring up the space in front of England’s back four throughout.

England's Rear Guard

Glenn Johnson must do more to protect England's centre back pairing

Baines’ vulnerbality down England’s left flank was clearly a cause of concern for Hodgson at the close of the half. In the absence of any effective midfield cover, England started the second half with the excellent Welbeck switched to wide left - but Baines continued to look vulnerable from wide areas, and will rightly feel disappointed that he wasn’t able to close down Candreva’s cross for the (unusually) clinical Balotelli. 

Apart from Cahill being beat by a superb piece of forward movement by Balotelli, ghosting a route to the back post for Italy’s winner, both he and Jagielka looked comfortable throughout. As did  Joe Hart in England’s goal. Despite a nervy start; Hart too, will feel dissaponted that he didn't do better with his old pal's eventual winner.

England must do better to protect the central spine of their back four - which calls upon both Glenn Johnson and Leighton Baines to dominate their respective flanks and to press opposing wide players more aggressively. But these problems are easily rectified in the coming days on England's training pitches.

Goals! Goals! Goals!

Sturridge wheels away after scoring England's superb equalizer

Daniel Sturridge grew in stature throughout the game. An early aversion to gamble in central areas was soon forgiven with a world class finish, after England had carved open Italy in the space of two simple passes - in a way that the Italians singularly failed to do so against the England lineup. 

With England desperately piling forward in the latter stages, the lack of an aerial presence proved a problem. England may have been better served in introducing Rickie Lambert to give them a greater central threat late on, rather than the otherwise impressive Adam Lallana. But critics who called for Andy Carrol's inclusion will point to the fact that the "Geordie Warrior" was excellent against Italy two years ago in Kiev, and the likes of Rooney, Lallana and Sterling were unlikely to win the aerial battles with Chiellini and Barzagli in particular.

The Lone Striker's Verdict

In an almost perverse way, Englands defeat on Saturday night may prove more valuable to this young English squad than a victory would ever have. They were taught valuable lessons at the hands of the Azzurri, that will be of enormous value to these players in this tournament and in tournaments' to come. 

Football at this level is brutally unforgiving, and England were made to pay harshly for two lapses in concentration. But this isn’t any any other tournament, and this isn’t just any other group of England players. 

England have nothing to fear against The Uruguayans this Thursday - even with the return of the mercurial Suarez. On Saturday's showing in Manaus, these are exciting days ahead for Roy Hodgson's new look side.

Strap in an enjoy the ride, it could get bumpy, but one thing is for sure, this could be the start of something very special.