The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 311 Internal strife? !

This match between Italy and England is the last game of the quarter-finals of this European Cup.

In previous matches, Portugal and Spain eliminated their final semi-finals.

Germany also eliminated the Greek team 4-2, advancing to the semi-finals first.

The Anglo-Italian war has already attracted enough attention before it even begins.

Compared to Italy, which qualified first in the group by winning three games, the Three Lions England team stumbled a bit in the group stage.

The two sides have met 22 times in history, with Italy having the upper hand with nine wins, six draws and seven losses.

The last time the two teams met in the European Cup was in the European Cup group stage in 1980, when Italy won -.

The Azzurri played all three group matches in Poland, and in the knockout rounds, they finally moved to Ukraine.

At the Olympic National Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Italy and England will compete for the last four spots here!

Chiellini suffered a slight injury before the game. Although the player himself took the initiative to play, Prandelli still asked him to sit on the bench to rest due to various considerations.

Italy still played with a starting formation of 4,31,2 today.

Cassano and Balotelli join forces up front, Leo as midfielder, Pirlo, De Rossi and Marchisio in the midfield.

Balzaretti and David Thornton served as left and right backs respectively. Bonucci today partnered with Ranocchia as central defender and goalkeeper Buffon.

On the England side, Hodgson arranged a very old-school 4-4-2 parallel position.

Rooney and Welbeck form a double arrow.

The four midfielders from left to right are Ashley Young, Scott Parker, Gerrard and Milner.

Left back Ashley Cole, right back Glen Johnson, Lescott and Terry partnered as central defender and goalkeeper Joe Hart.

No one has ever thought that the Three Lions' lineup is not good, but coach Hodgson's formation has always been criticized.

Only thirty seconds into the first half, the Italian team took the lead and completed a shot!

Leo passed the ball, and Balotelli volleyed with his right foot from the center more than 30 meters away from the goal!

However, Bashen did not play with power and the ball was not fast. England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who had been his teammate in Manchester City, easily confiscated the ball.

Marchisio passed back near the right baseline, and De Rossi hit the goal with his left foot from the outside of the penalty area!

The ball hit the left goal post hard and bounced off the baseline!

But England responded quickly two minutes later.

Johnson cut in from the right and pushed into the penalty area. Ashley Young passed the ball behind his back. Milner broke free from the defense and passed a low ball. The ball hit the leg of Italian full-back Balzaretti and the line changed!

Glen Johnson, who was unmarked at the back post, hit the right-footed shot from close range. Buffon was in a good position and subconsciously reached out to block the ball!

In the ninth minute, Gerrard passed the ball and Rooney countered offside and successfully broke through to the left baseline and sent a cross.

Bonucci stretched his foot from behind Welbeck and broke the ball out of the baseline.

A minute later, Buffon punched out Milner's cross from the left, and Parker volleyed the ball directly from outside the penalty area and missed.

Leo cleverly seized the opportunity to press forward and caused Gerrard's mistake. De Rossi passed the ball!

Unfortunately, Cassano was too hesitant to dribble the ball, and his shot from the front of the penalty area was blocked by Gerrard, who was returning to defend.

The Three Lions counterattacked quickly. Ashley Young passed a curve ball from the wing. Buffon grabbed the ball before the two outflanking England forwards.

The game was unexpectedly exciting. England and Italy actually let their hands and feet fight against each other in the European Cup.

This is very surprising to many "fake fans" who only watch football in big games.

"Didn't you say that Leo from Italy is particularly powerful? Why didn't you see anyone else?"

"Where's Mr. Golden Ball? Has he played?"

"England is very good. They have been able to compete with the World Cup champions and never fall behind?"

In fact, they were still at a disadvantage. In the first 20 minutes of the game, the ball possession rates of Italy and England were basically 60% to 40%.

However, Hodgson's team counterattacked quite sharply, which made people feel that they were not without the ability to fight back.

As for what Leo is doing, he helps the team a lot on both offense and defense.

Assisting defense, stealing, organizing, and dispatching, he is there wherever needed.

It's just that there are no so-called personal performances involving several people, so many viewers are not deeply impressed by him.

In the 22nd minute, Welbeck's low shot from the front of the penalty area was firmly saved by Buffon.

Leo took the ball and first broke through Gerrard's interception, then got rid of Parker's defense, and then sent a long pass of nearly 50 meters before reaching the center circle!

Balotelli received Leo's precise long pass and started to take a shot from the front of the penalty area. Terry returned to defend and used his body to block the ball. Hart flew to get the ball.

This was an excellent scoring opportunity, but it was wasted because of Balotelli's absent-mindedness.

De Rossi roared at Balotelli on the court to express his dissatisfaction, and this roar also made Balotelli instantly red.

Balotelli turned his head in anger and fired back:

"Shut up! Shut up!"

Then the two had a quarrel on the field in full view of the public, but fortunately Leo arrived at the scene as soon as possible.

"You two are almost done. If anything happens, don't make trouble here. Is it fun for so many people to laugh at you?"

Bashen was stunned for a moment, and De Rossi calmed down and looked around, seeing the England players watching the excitement not far away.

The chief referee of this game is Proenza, an old acquaintance.

The Portuguese referee gave a verbal warning to the two Italian players who clashed, but did not impose a more severe penalty.

Leo then breathed a sigh of relief. It would be too embarrassing if a player on the Italian side received a yellow card due to internal strife after only twenty minutes of the game.

The situation finally eased, Balotelli and De Rossi each turned and left, and the game continued.

However, after this episode, everyone is even less optimistic about Italy.

"What just happened? There was internal strife?"

"It seems Balotelli and De Rossi had a fight. Why?"

"De Rossi is probably dissatisfied with Barcelona for wasting opportunities. I think that's fine."

People who don't know the truth don't know the inside story. Balotelli has actually been dissatisfied with De Rossi for a long time.

Especially in a previous interview, De Rossi said of Balotelli:

"Mario is already a sensible child, and he should shoulder the corresponding responsibilities."

What Balotelli dislikes the most is this kind of preaching.

Leo was aware of this matter, but now was obviously not the time to argue about who was right and who was wrong.

Therefore, he could only use his identity to mediate and temporarily ease the conflict between the two.

Glen Johnson's diagonal pass was in front of the goal. Rooney flew and dived to head the ball over the crossbar under the interference of David Thornton.

Balzaretti scored the ball, and Cassano's right-footed shot from outside the penalty area flew away.

Pirlo accurately picked up the ball and found Cassano. Hart decisively attacked and confiscated the ball.

Then Leo also sent wonderful direct passes one after another, but Cassano and Balotelli's shots either missed or were saved by Joe Hart.

Marchisio's powerful low shot from outside the arc of the penalty area was blocked by Joe Hart who fell to the ground!

Then the England midfielder stole the ball and launched a quick counterattack. Welbeck and Rooney hit the wall and cooperated.

Rooney knocked the ball with his heel, and Welbeck shot with his right foot from the arc of the penalty area and missed the far post.

Leo made a diagonal pass, and Cassano dodged past Milner before crossing to the penalty area and missed with a low shot with his right foot.

In the 38th minute, Bashen turned his back and Cassano volleyed with his right foot from the outside. Hart flew to block the ball!

Two minutes later, Pirlo made a long pass into the penalty area, Cassano headed the ball in front of the goal, and Terry made a big kick before Bashen outflanked him!

Italy and England exchanged offense and defense, but neither got a good scoring opportunity.

The first half of the game entered stoppage time. Rooney fell after a physical confrontation with De Rossi. Referee Proenza refused to call a foul, which made Xiaopang very dissatisfied.

Scott Parker circled to protect the ball but was intercepted accurately by Leo.

Bashen received Leo's direct pass from the outside of the penalty area and took a long shot that flew into the stands.

When De Rossi saw that Bashen had squandered a hard-won opportunity again, he thought of the previous time and blood suddenly surged into his heart.

Fortunately, this time the referee Proenza blew the half-time whistle and the first half ended.

England and Italy ended in a goalless draw, temporarily tied at 0-0.

The other Italian team members hurriedly pulled the two away.

Vladovic, secretary of the Italian Football Association on the sidelines, also rushed into the field and urged the two men to return to the locker room respectively, thus avoiding further conflicts.

"Is it because of what he said before?"

Balotelli looked at Leo angrily, not having the courage to vent his anger on the boss, and just nodded silently.

Leo sighed, which could only mean that what De Rossi said at that time was really wrong. Bashen was not a sensible child at all, and would never be sensible.

"I understand. I'll go and communicate with him and ask him to control you less in the future, okay?"

Ba Shen responded immediately this time, but nodded without saying anything.

"But there's nothing wrong with what people said today. I gave you such a good opportunity. Why didn't you seize it? Didn't you want to score or win?"

Although it was not obvious, Leo could see that Balotelli's dark face was a little red.

Not knowing how to answer, Ba Shen could only smile and scratch his head. Seeing Balotelli return to "normal", Leo smiled.

"Okay, that's over. Do a good job in the second half, okay?"

After explaining to Balotelli, Leo went to the other side of the locker room and found De Rossi, who was sulking with his head down.

"Daniele, Mario is just a kid who won't grow up. It's not like you don't know that.

Why are you angry with him when you are such a big man? "

De Rossi raised his eyelids, but after hearing Leo's words, he didn't want to pay attention.

Leo could only continue:

"Okay, you are a senior and you have scolded me. I just criticized Mario for you. He admitted his mistake and said he would correct it in the future.

You have a lot of knowledge as an adult, don't think like a child. "

Only then did De Rossi take off the towel covering his head.

"Leo, I'm not dissatisfied with Mario, I'm really anxious.

The situation of the game was not good for us, and as a result, such a good opportunity was squandered so casually! "

"I know, I know, you are doing it for the best of the team.

We worked hard together in the second half. Believe me and everyone, we will definitely beat England. "

"Must win!"

"Must win!"

The other Italian team members who were eavesdropping on the side found the opportunity and let out such a roar together.

Prandelli also smiled. He had originally prepared some words of encouragement for the team, but it seemed that he no longer needed them now.

At the beginning of the second half of the game, the two sides changed sides and fought again.

The game just started, Cassano once again took a long shot, and Hart hit the ball out of the baseline with both hands.

Leo took a left corner kick, and Hart hit the ball first with his height and arm length advantage!

But the ball didn't fly far. Marchisio headed the ball towards the goal. De Rossi's left-footed volley from the right corner of the small penalty area unexpectedly missed the empty goal!

Yes, let him talk about Balotelli. Now De Rossi himself also missed an excellent scoring opportunity.

De Rossi was a little annoyed and a little embarrassed about this incident.

But it passed quickly, and Italy's teammates on the field all devoted themselves to the attack.

David Thornton crossed from the right, and Terry headed the ball ahead of Balotelli to destroy it.

De Rossi fired an angry shot from the outside of the penalty area, Hart threw the ball away, and Bashen intercepted the ball immediately and his follow-up shot was blocked again!

Cassano follows up with a powerful volley that goes high!

Glen Johnson knocked back from the right, and Milner missed a long shot in front of the penalty area.

In the 58th minute, Balotelli received a pass from the wing, and Terry's close marking gave him a little space. Balotelli used Leo to buckle the angle and shoot low with his right foot, and the ball went slightly wide.

England made two substitutions in a row, Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll came on as substitutes, and Welbeck and Milner were replaced.

Three Lions coach Hodgson is likely banking on Walcott's speed and Carroll's fulcrum role.

Prandelli also called the players on the bench to go to the sidelines to warm up, and he might replace Balotelli who was wasting opportunities continuously later.

Leo made a look, meaning why haven't you scored yet?

Bashen blinked, indicating that he understood.

Walcott dribbled the ball from the right at high speed and broke away from Balzaretti's defense before passing in.

Carroll's overhead kick in the middle with his back to the goal failed to hit the court, which was very funny.

Ashley Young, who followed up later, missed the shot before Ranocchia made a clearance.

Obviously, Hodgson's substitution did not have a very good effect.

Both Carroll and Walcott are players with distinctive characteristics but limited overall strength.

Coupled with the fact that Hodgson's tactical deployment was not in place, England's offensive threat not only did not strengthen, but seemed to have declined.

Both Marchisio and De Rossi's attacks were blocked by England's defenders.

In the 72nd minute, Cassano's long shot from the outside was blocked by Joe Hart.

Judging from this, this game is already heading towards overtime or even a penalty shootout, which is not what Leo wants to see.

Di Natale has completed his warm-up and is ready to come on as a substitute.

The fourth official on the sidelines also raised a sign. The Italian team is making a substitution. Number 11 is replaced by number 9. Balotelli is about to be replaced!

At this time, Bashen finally felt some sense of urgency.

Leo sent a direct pass that he couldn't remember for the first time in today's game. Balotelli suddenly turned around and shot low in front of the penalty area!

Joe Hart goes down and dives for the ball but misses it!

Balotelli, who was nearest, tapped his heel lightly!

Leo:? ? ?

Of course, Italy's No. 10 would not miss such a good opportunity. Leo, who was unmarked before the penalty spot, received a clever counterattack from Bashen to meet the ball and hit the upper right corner of the goal!

One to zero!

The Azzurri broke the deadlock on the field!

After Bashen, who had just provided an assist for Leo, celebrated with his teammates, he was replaced by Di Natale.

In the 77th minute, Gerrard suffered a muscle cramp in his left thigh while fighting in the frontcourt and fell to the ground.

Before the ninety-minute game was completed, Gerrard suffered from cramps.

This can also be seen how fierce the confrontation in this game is. As the captain of the Three Lions, Gerrard has tried his best.

After suffering from cramps, Gerrard did not try again, but continued to stay on the field.

Not only that, one minute later Gerrard also sent a very threatening pass. Rooney jumped in the penalty area and headed the ball to the ball. The ball was confiscated by Buffon.

Subsequently, Prandelli made another substitution, and Nocerino replaced De Rossi.

Two Italian players who had "infighting" on the field today were replaced one after another.

Balzaretti's cross, Di Natale's left-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area, Joe Hart flew sideways to confiscate the ball!

The England team, which was lagging behind, launched an all-out attack with almost all the players on the pitch.

Bonucci tackled Ashley Young head-on in his own half and was given a yellow card by the referee.

Gerrard's free kick went into the right side of the penalty area, and Parker's shot was blocked by Balzaretti.

In the 89th minute, Marchisio made a direct pass from the center, and Nocerino's close shot from the center was blocked by Glen Johnson.

In stoppage time, Ashley Cole made a pass from the wing, Carroll headed the ball over, and Rooney's overhead kick went over the crossbar.

The game is over!

Italy defeated England 1-0 with Leo's only goal and advanced to the semi-finals of the European Cup!

The Azzurri ended the battle within ninety minutes without letting the game go into overtime!

Although unfortunately out, England coach Hodgson still praised his disciples after the game:

“The players worked really hard and they deserve the support of the fans.

I really wanted this to be our game, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. "

Italy coach Prandelli had an uncontrollable smile on his face:

"Italy deserved to win because we played better and were more patient.

Semifinal against Germany? Let us enjoy the joy of victory first, and then consider how to defeat Germany. "

Judging from the post-match data analysis, although Italy only scored one goal, looking at the entire game, it can be said that Italy has always had the advantage.

The Blue Jackets had a total of 36 shots in the game, ten of which were on target, while England only had nine shots and one shot on target.

Joe Hart made a total of 11 saves. If it weren't for the Manchester City goalkeeper's high block and low block, England's goal might have been lost as early as the first half.

The responsibility for the last missed goal cannot be placed on Hart's head.

Italy completed 752 of their 830 passes in this game, more than twice that of England, and their ball possession rate was 68% to 32%.

Leo, who led the Azzurri to always take the initiative on the field, also attended the post-match press conference with the head coach.

“We controlled the game from the start and the win was well deserved.

During the game, I only wanted to help the team score goals. That time I thought Mario would choose to score the goal himself, but he passed the ball to me and I scored the ball. "

Inevitably, reporters asked about the brief clashes between Balotelli and De Rossi during the game, twice.

"I think they had good intentions and were dissatisfied with the score and their inability to take advantage of scoring opportunities, so the quarrel broke out.

I helped them resolve the conflict during the halftime break. Mario and Daniele were both for the team's victory, not out of selfishness.

So although their behavior at the time was indeed inappropriate, I think it was understandable.

I also hope that the fans will not be too harsh on them. We will need them to continue to contribute in the following games. "

(End of this chapter)