Why England's defeat is justified

If England had gone on and defeated Italy in the penalty shootouts, it would have been one of the most unjust defeats of all time. Italy had 68 % of possession, 833 passes against 364 from England, 40 crosses double than that of England and had 36 shots compared to England’s nine. The stats do speak for themselves.

For the sixth time, England were sent out of a major football tournament through a shoot-out. Well, quite frankly, it shouldn’t have gone to a shootout in the first place.

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Steven Gerrard of England (C) looks dejected after defeat in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Danny Welbeck was defending corners right through the time he played, Scott Parker almost functioned as a center back and Ashley Young was running backwards most of the time than running forward. With a decent bit of defending by Terry, Johnson and Lescott and of course due to the bad luck of Italian strikers, England managed to drag the game into a shootout. It was as if they were playing to get into the shootout right from half-time.

In the first half, England were not spectacular, but they were far better than they were in their previous game against Ukraine. Despite failing to score goals, they were creating chances. Then came halftime.

In the second 45, England were practically clueless going forward. In a 4-4-2, your creativity should flow from the wings but James Milner and Ashley Young were busy being part time full-backs mainly because England needed four center-backs to save face.

England were not Chelsea playing against Barcelona. Italy are probably one of the weaker offensive teams in the final four and still, England played like they were facing the front line of Barcelona. England were completely outplayed on the pitch. They were the inferior team – technically, mentally and physically. They were outdone by their own weaknesses and of course, by Andrea Pirlo.

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Andrea Pirlo of Italy chips the ball in the penalty shootout past Joe Hart of England during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Pirlo was allowed to roam free on the pitch by the English defense, and he made the most out of it. Whenever he found space, he managed to send in one magnificent pass after another. Later, he summed up his evening by that arrogantly brilliant chip in the shootout.

If they had gone into the semi-finals, they would have been slaughtered by Germany, a much better side than Italy. Now at least, Italy can do something against the mighty Germany. After all, they deserve the chance.

There is no point in blaming Roy Hodgson. He did the best with what he had, he managed to put together the most viable side and he kept the decorum in the dressing room. May be the substitutions were too predictable but it is too big an ask for any manager to win trophies with this English side.

Hodgson’s men deserved to lose, because they couldn’t pass for their lives and even when they somehow did, the ball went straight from an Englishmen to an Italian’s leg. They deserved to lose because they had no sense of patriotism in them, some players and even the manager was struggling to sing their national anthem!