Threat: Hodgson recognises the danger of Pirlo

Asked if Cesare Prandelli should concern himself with some of England's players, Hodgson said: 'I think he should. There's no doubt we have good quality players. Players who are recognised worldwide. I don't know Prandelli but he's entitled to look at our team and say,
"Right, this won't be an easy game because England have some good players". We're aware it's a tough task, but our chances are at least 50-50. We're not underdogs in any way.'
Again, said Hodgson, England have to get the basics right.

'We've got to keep that discipline,' he said. 'That's one of the sine qua non (essential elements) of any football team.

'You've got to make certain that what you're capable of doing well, you take into every game. The way the Italians play is very different to the way the Ukrainians, the French and the Swedes have played. The particular challenge with Italy is in the midfield area where they have a lot of very gifted and experienced players. We have to be careful we don't get outnumbered in that area.

'They've got some very good individuals, many of whom have a medal already in their locker. That said, my players will not feel inferior. Their thought process has to be, "If we go on to this field and do our job as well as we've done up to now, we're capable of winning this football match".'

In Parker that attitude was certainly evident yesterday. 'It will be a really intense and tough game for me and Stevie,' he said. 'But it will be our type of game, and if you win that battle in midfield, you're probably quite a way there towards securing the game.

'Stevie has been brilliant since we've been here; a great captain. What he does on the field makes people follow. He makes reactions happen. But we all need to recognise our own qualities and strengths. You are what you are, and you have to make the best out of that.
We're doing a good job. We have that belief and we are positive. I don't have any intention of packing my bags on Monday and going home.'

Neither does Hodgson. Neither do any of them.

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