FIFA World Cup 2014: Positive England performance leaves hope despite defeat

Steven Gerrard

The England fan has come to expect very much below par performances from his team at World Cups. However, things seem a lot different this time. Manager Roy Hodgson has selected a youthful squad for the World Cup and their performance in the defeat to Italy will surely give him belief that his side can make it out of the group.

The inspired decision to play Raheem Sterling from the start paid off, the young Liverpool winger almost scored a spectacular goal in the opening minutes. Wayne Rooney was shifted out to the left and gave a very decent performance, though I still feel his best position is exactly behind the striker. Danny Welbeck, often criticized for his lack of creative ability, hounded the Italians for 60 minutes. And striker Daniel Sturridge scored a beautiful goal after an excellent cross from Wayne Rooney to make it 1-1.

The defence too did a good job. They only made two mistakes in the entire game, but against a quality side like Italy two mistakes meant losing 2-1. For the first goal, everyone was caught out by that exquisite step-over from Andrea Pirlo that allowed Marchisio to slam home the opener. And for the second goal Gary Cahill, who had been flawless till then, was out muscled by Mario Balotelli who headed in. In the buildup to that goal Leighton Baines was totally outsmarted by Candreva; again a single mistake in an otherwise unblemished performance for the Everton man. Phil Jagielka was the commanding figure he always is, and even the usually error-prone Glen Johnson kept the door firmly shut.

So you really have to give it to the amazing Italians, not least of all Andrea Pirlo. The 35 year old Juventus player pulled all the strings, and striker Mario Balotelli showed a cool temperament [for once!] and excellent finishing ability. Their defence and midfield can control the game at any pace they want, something that frustrated the English in the Amazonian jungle the other night. Not a single Italian player showed signs of fatigue,whereas all those in white were practically dead after 80 minutes. It is something the manager has to address, as Sterling, Welbeck and Wilshere don’t seem to last more than 70 minutes ever in a game.

For the next game against Uruguay, stamina will again be the key. Wayne Rooney has surely got to start in the number 10 role, and I would bank on Ross Barkley starting. The time for caution has passed; England have to win their next game. Playing two defensive midfielders might also have to be changed, and with jack Wilshere’s defensive abilities in question, playing Frank Lampard alongside Gerrard might just prove to be a masterstroke. A fifth player is certainly needed to support the front four, and who better than Lampard to fill that role? My proposed formation for the game: Hart; Johnson,Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Lampard; Sterling, Rooney, Barkley; Sturridge. Both England and Uruguay have to win this game, and it would indeed be sad to see this exuberant and enterprising English side exit the tournament so early.

Italy, though, look very strong. Costa Rica pulled off that amazing win over Uruguay but I still feel Italy have too much for the Central Americans to have any joy. But of course, this World Cup has already shown us that we must take nothing for granted: anything is possible.