da gbg bet： When England step out in Kiev on Sunday night to face Italy, they carry with them a history between the two nations of fleeting yet intensely impassioned encounters upon their shoulders. Having met only six times in major international tournaments or qualifiers, the battle is one which has not had the breathing space to develop as vehemently as , say, meetings with Germany; yet they are clashes which hold weighty relevance in the narratives of the English national team.
da betcris： It was not until 1976 that the paths of the two nations would cross competitively, yet there were significant friendly meetings previously. 1934’s ‘Battle of Highbury’ saw England take a 3-0 lead before being pegged back to 3-2, yet most widely reported were numerous skirmishes on behalf of the Italians seeking retribution for perceived English foul play. Four England players suffered notable injuries in the first-half alone. Only the second meeting between England and Italy would set the tone for a series of stilted, combative matches to follow throughout the 20th Century.
In the first of the competitive meetings honours were uniformly even, as the 1978 World Cup Qualifiers saw a 2-0 victory for the home side on both occasions. England were, however, denied a place in Argentina after a mediocre qualifying campaign despite the victory against Italy at Wembley in the final match. Needing to win by six, England failed to wrestle back the necessary goal difference as the Italians scarcely scraped their way through to the finals.
England were given the opportunity to assail their failings just two years later in Turin as the 1980 European Championships drew Ron Greenwood’s side against the hosts. A partisan home support proved too much for England as Marco Tardelli tapped home from close range just twelve minutes before the end to give Italy victory. Intriguingly, however, the hosts would not progress from the group stage as the 8-team format saw Belgium into the final on goals scored, only to perish against winners West Germany.
The footballing relationship between England and Italy took on a sinister and ominous flavour as the 20th Century drew to a close, with the Heysel disaster of 1985 ripping open an uncomfortable abrasion amongst supporters, players and national associations. No longer were hostilities confined to devious challenges and underhand tactics: divisions between the two nations now cut far deeper into wider society, a cultural disunion adding a further stain to a national game already critically blighted in England. With the Hillsborough disaster to follow in 1989, England travelled to Italy for the 1990 World Cup in search of redemption, bringing with them a wounded national pride in need of vital healing.
England’s travails in Italy proved something of turning point for English football. Though still tainted by hooliganism at the tournament, those watching at home had their zest for football renewed by the on-field heroics of the England squad, missing out on the final by the breadth of a crossbar. Interest renewed, English football became credible once again. It was the primary beginnings of the English renaissance. The Premier League and Euro 96 subsequently followed and set in motion the development of the self-titled ‘Best League in the World’. Arguably, however, English football’s emergence as the dominant domestic league in Europe was initiated that summer in Italy. England were once again defeated by the hosts in the Third-Place Play-Off, this time 2-1, but that mattered little to a country who welcomed their boys home as redeemers of national pride.
Seven years later it would prove a similar story as England toiled, laboured and grafted their way to a memorable outcome on Italian soil, this time in Rome. Having plundered to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley earlier in the France ’98 qualifying campaign courtesy of Gianfranco Zola, Glen Hoddle’s charges went into the final game needing only a draw to secure automatic qualification.
The game was characterised by the sight of a bloodied and battered Paul Ince scampering around a vivacious Stadio Olimpico with his head in a bandage after a clash with Italy’s Albertini. It typified the defiant and insolent nature of England’s game that night. Disciplined and organised, England repelled a talented Italian attack for 90 minutes, though were not devoid of startling scares. England’s confidence grew as Italy became further frustrated and Ian Wright struck the post from a narrow angle in the dying seconds, only for Christian Vieri to glance a header alarmingly close some thirty seconds later.
England were to hold on, however, replicating the valiant battling qualities which conquered the Italians at Highbury some sixty-four years previous. That night in Rome perhaps best epitomised England’s footballing history against Italy: taxing, strenuous and uncompromising. Limbs on the line, bodies sacrificed in honour of the nation.
England can anticipate a similar contest on Sunday night. Two sides engaged in the art of solidity over extravagance, strength in place of showiness. Gareth Southgate said of the goalless draw in Rome that England “had played the game in an Italian manner”, soaking up pressure and focusing upon organisation.
With Hodgson’s team significantly echoing these attributes so far at the tournament, England will aim to emulate the class of 1997 but need to take their game one further. History shows that battling spirit, determination and resolve are all necessary requisites in deterring Italy. But to effectively dispose of Italy and ensure progress, England will need to build upon these traits with dexterity; a touch of enchantment to prevent the skirmished, scrapping spectacles that have defined the history of England vs Italy.
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