Dubai: The former manager of Manchester United, Ron Atkinson, believes the common spectre of a penalty shootout could loom again for England tonight (Sunday) in the Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy.
‘Big Ron’, who has been in Dubai during the tournament, predicts ‘a very tight encounter’ between two in-form teams, whose defences have been central to their progress in the tournament.
He claims a tension-filled denouement to the knockout encounter in the form of a shootout, anathema to English footballers following a string of agonising tournament exits for England due to penalties over the years, is therefore a strong possibility.
England have succumbed four times in a row on penalties at major tournaments since the Euro 1996 quarter-finals, when they prevailed over Spain 4-2.
It would therefore be ‘a pleasant change’ if Roy Hodgson’s men were to end this depressing streak tonight, admitted Atkinson, who pointed out that the Italians are also not renowned for their spot-kick success on the big occasion.
Atkinson, who is a resident expert along with England legend Sir Geoff Hurst at the Moevenpick Hotel at Ibn Battuta Gate during Euro 2012, said: “I think it will be a very tight encounter, which could possibly go to penalties. It then becomes a lottery and, as we know, both teams have history in terms losing shootouts at big events. But we might just get through on penalties, which would make a pleasant change. England seem to have a lot of belief after winning the group, and it could just be that a flash of brilliance from Steven Gerrard, who might just be the best player in the tournament so far, could decide it in our favour. They [England] also have had some good fortune with the goal that should have been allowed for Ukraine being ruled out by a refereeing decision.”
If every England fan’s worst nightmare did materialise and the dreaded shootout was required to settle the quarter-final, goalkeeper Joe Hart has boldly declared publicly that he would put himself forward to take a penalty.
Would ‘Big Ron’ have been happy during his managerial career for one of his ‘keepers to have performed a dual role during the shootout?
“By and large, you’d hope your outfield players were good enough to take penalties, as the goalkeeper has enough to do with trying to prevent the other team from scoring their penalties,” he replied. “But I had a goalkeeper called Kevin Pressman at Sheffield Wednesday who got us through in a cup game against Watford by scoring a penalty, so I am not totally against ‘keepers taking penalties.”
But, even if the Three Lions overcome the dogged Italians, Atkinson reckons they would then be eliminated by another familiar foe, Germany, in the semi-finals.
Atkinson feels the Germans will live up to their billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites and go on to claim the Euro 2012 crown.
He added: “I still think Germany will win the tournament as they’re a good, all-round side, who seem to have sorted out their weakness at the back with Holger Badstuber and Mats Hummels, who look a very good partnership. I think if England had played Spain, it would have been like the Chelsea-Barcelona Champions League semi-final.”
‘Big Ron’ also expects Wayne Rooney to excel for Roy Hodgson’s men following his goalscoring return against Ukraine after a two-match suspension.
On the other hand, though, he does not believe Italy’s very own temperamental forward, Mario Balotelli, will have a decisive impact in the game.
“I prefer [Antonio] Cassano,” he added, “but we all know what Balotelli can do, as he showed with his goal against Ireland. But over the piece, is he consistent enough? If he starts, he’ll be up against players who know him well, too, especially Joleon Lescott, who plays with him at Manchester City. I think Antonio Di Natale will be more of a threat to us.”
Atkinson, who also managed Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa and was a long-serving television pundit in the UK, added continuity in terms of team selection was important for England. He said: “I wouldn’t change the England team for the match. If everyone is fit, I’d keep the same team as the one that played against Ukraine.”
