England vs Italy: Pick Your Starting Line-Up
England will face Italy on Sunday in Kiev. The winner will book a semi-final place against Germany, but if you’re Roy Hodgson, who is going to be in your starting line-up?
You could argue that Hodgson hasn’t made a wrong move yet in this tournament in terms of his team selection. But you may agree that there are opportunities to improve the selection, to make this England team even stronger, especially when they play a former World Cup champion such as Italy.
Here’s my England starting line-up that I would like to see:
Hart
Johnson — Terry — Lescott — Cole
Walcott — Gerrard — Parker — Young
Rooney
Carroll
The two changes are Andy Carroll coming in for Danny Welbeck. I think Carroll’s height and brute force will trouble the Italy defense. While Italy is trying to deal with Carroll, who is always a handful, I’d like to see Theo Walcott sprinting down the right wing to give England another factor to trouble the Italians. Knowing Hodgson, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts James Milner start on the right wing to nullify the Italian attacks down that flank, and then add Walcott later in the match, similar to what Hodgson did against Sweden.
What’s your suggested starting line-up for England? Post yours in the comments section below.





20 Responses to England vs Italy: Pick Your Starting Line-Up
Hart
Johnson–terry–lescott–cole
Walcott–gerrard–young
Chamberlain
Rooney–carroll
so put Carroll into the starting line-up for reasons that have nothing to do with skills or technique. No wonder England hasn’t won anything since 66.
No, it’s skill and technique also. As we saw against Sweden, he’s certainly gifted. But his physical strength will be a factor as well as his heading ability.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
what? I must be mad then. Welbeck is superior player to Carroll in both skill and technique. Even though Carroll is touted as being good in the air, he has participated in 10 areal duels and won 3. Welbeck has participated in 4 areal duels and won 3.
I just dont get it.
It’s not all about winning aerial duels. Having Carroll in the box will add a different dimension to England’s attacks. Welbeck is gifted, too. But I believe he’ll be outmuscled by a strong Italian defense (just as Welbeck was easily knocked off the ball many times against Sweden).
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Hart
Hart
Johnson Terry Lescott Baines
Gerrard Parker
Walcott Rooney Chamberlain
Welbeck
Hart
Jones Lescott Terry Cole
Gerard Parker
Walcott Rooney Young
Welbeck
Hart
JOHNSON TERRY LESCOTT BAINES
MILNER PARKER
GERRARD YOUNG
ROONEY
CARROL/WELBECK
Hart
Johnson. Terry. Lescott. Cole
Gerrard
Chamberlain
Walcott. Rooney. Wellbeck.
Carroll
England is winning two nil.
hart
johnson terry lescott cole
parker gerrard
walcott chamberlain
young
rooney
This is what I think the england line up will be
Hart
Johnson Terry Lescott Cole
Parker Gerrard
Walcott Young
Carroll Rooney
But I am supporting Italy for this game and this is what I think the line up will be
Buffon
Bonucci Barzagli Thiago Motta Maggio
De Rossi Marchisio Pirlo
Ballotelli Di Natale
The Gaffer obviously knows his football……….spot on with his selection & responses to other ideas.
We all have our favorites & no so favorites…..but we have to pick a team to contend with the Italians , wno are no mugs!!
Pace alone will not bring us reward, they will tire and Italy will take advantage….bring on the pace boys later on in the game if need be.
All you Carroll bashers wish he hadn’t scored then???
IPSWICH FOREVER.
I guarantee Roy is not going to suddenly drop Milner, who has started every match, from the lineup. He is Roy’s kind of player, regardless of what fans/pundits may think of his value/production.
Given my track record, I never bet more than $1 on anything. However, on this one I’d be willing to go crazy and bet a whole beer at my local pub.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jun/22/euro-2012-james-milner-england
Hart
Johnson Terry Lescott Cole
Parker
Walcott gerrard young
Rooney
Wellbeck
I guess I was wrong
Hart
Johnson Terry Lescott Cole
Parker
Milner Gerrard Walcott
Rooney
Carroll
Hart
Johnson Terry Lescott Cole
Oxlade -Chamberlain Parker Gerrard Walcott
Carroll Welbeck
I would love to see Downing in action in this game. My team would be:
Johnson Terry Lescott Cole
Parker Gerrard
Downing Young
Rooney
Carroll