I couldn’t get off the phone on Sunday night with people calling, saying: ‘Where’s our Pirlo, why can’t we play like Pirlo, why can’t we get near him?’
It was one of the best midfield performances I have ever seen. But we have our own version, he is just recovering from injury and we must hope he gets well soon. He is Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.
Untouchable: Andre Pirlo ran rings round England
He can pass like that, in the quarterback position, in a central midfield three.
But it has to be a three. This competition showed you can’t play two midfielders, especially when the opponents have three in there.
England asked too much of Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker. I wrote it after the first game and it didn’t change. Last night, Parker came off exhausted and Gerrard suffered cramp. They had too much to do.
Ineffective: Rooney was tired out from chasing after Pirlo Tired RooneyYou might ask why Wayne Rooney looked so tired, but he was chasing shadows, trying to get close to Andrea Pirlo and working hard chasing the ball. When the ball came to him, his legs weren’t fresh.
It’s what happens when you play a team like Barcelona. And last night it happened against Pirlo. The more time you spend without the ball, the more tiring it is.
Final verdictThere are not too many England players who can say they had a brilliant tournament. The goalkeeper and back four finish with lots of credit.
Super: Joe Hart excelledJoe Hart was outstanding last night, Joleon Lescott, John Terry and Ashley Cole have played well. They went out having kept a clean sheet.
Glen Johnson is the player who has restored his reputation. He might not have started if Kyle Walker had been fit, but he played very well. Gerrard was the only offensive player who delivered.
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